Organizational handling of midcareer moves: The reactions of navy line officers

Abstract

The reaction of Navy line officers to the detailing process by which they receive new assignments was examined from the standpoint of the emphasis they thought should be placed on the needs of the service, career needs, and their personal desires, their billet preferences for the new assignment, their career intentions, and the information sources used to ascertain available assignments. These are contrasted with their evaluation of the actual emphasis they found to be placed on Navy, career, and personal needs, their degree of involvement in the decision process, and the acceptability of the new assignment. Multivariate analyses determined the contribution of these factors to overall satisfaction with the detailing process and their impact on career intentions. The majority of officers were satisfied with detailing and their new assignment and intended to continue on active duty. Both the minority that was less than satisfied and those on whom the detailing process made a negative career impact were in sufficient numbers to warrant further efforts to study and improve the handling of midcareer officer moves. (Author)