The Sponsor Program : facilitating anticipatory socialization for personnel being transferred in the United States Coast Guard.

Abstract

This thesis examines on e way in which the U.S. Coast Guard can help facilitate the transition of personnel being transferred on PCS moves. Specifically, it focuses on the Sponsor Program and the anticipatory socialization of the member being transferred. A description of each of the other military services' Sponsor/Indoctrination Programs in included, as well as some of the relocation programs used in the civilian community. The results from a survey of a sample of Coast Guard units provide information on the reactions and feelings of Coast Guard personnel towards the Sponsor Program, and provide empirical support for theoretical propositions about links between the Sponsor Program, transition smoothness and job satisfaction. In the concluding chapter, the author makes recommendations for how the Coast Guard can improve the Sponsor Program and potentially increase both job satisfaction and retention of personnel in the Coast Guard.