The impact of demographics and military factors affecting retention rates affecting female and male officers in the surface warfare and restricted line communities

Abstract

This study will analyze factors that affect retention of male and female officers with specific emphasis on the surface warfare and restricted line communities. The research will examine whether family influence, dependent status, accession source and undergraduate major are differentially related to retention by gender and community. This study will evaluate these officers from date of commissioning to the 10-year point in an effort to derive factors related to retention after reaching a major career milestone. A logistic regression model will be used as the analytic strategy for the study. Descriptive statistics on independent and dependent variables will be run, as appropriate, to show retention rates and outcomes from six Cohorts (1988-1993) while controlling for missing data, missing cases, personnel who died prior to the 10-year point, Marine Corps Officers, Aviators, Staff Corps and Submariners. The findings of this study will evaluate whether retention of female and male officers is related to the same predictors. The results will provide data to policy makers and Navy personnel to better predict, control and maintain retention rates.