Effects of the global war on terror on Medical Service Corps retention rates

Abstract

This thesis analyzes the retention behavior of first term Medical Service Corps officers and examines the effect of the Global War on Terror (GWOT) on all communities within the Navy Medical Service Corps including Healthcare Administration (HCA), Healthcare Science (HCS) and Clinical Care Provider (CCS). Data were collected from the Defense Manpower Data Center for MSC officers in entering cohort years 1998, 1999 and 2001. Four logistic regression models were estimated to capture the effects of different types of deployments on the retention of first term MSC officers. The models included both demographic and military experience explanatory variables. A difference-indifference estimator was incorporated into each model to measure the effects of the deployment variables across the pre and post- GWOT periods. The post-GWOT period is defined as following the initiation of major combat operations in Iraq (March 2003). Factors having positive effects on retention included age, having greater than two dependents, entering through the In- Service Procurement Program, and deployments including at least one hostile deployment during the first term. Negative influences on retention included serving in HCS or CCS when compared to HCA, entering through the Health Services Collegiate Program and commissioning in the 2001 cohort year. While serving a first term in the post-GWOT period has a negative effect on retention, the post-GWOT deployment indicators were inconclusive in this study.