The effect of advanced education on the retention and promotion of army officers

Abstract

This thesis examines the relationship between advanced education and the retention and promotion of Army officers. It uses data from the Active Duty Military Master File for Army officers who were commissioned between 1981 and 2001 and tracked until 2004, or until they separated from active duty. Results of survival analysis indicate that survival functions differ significantly with level of education, and that advanced education has a positive effect on both the retention and promotion of Army officers. Compared to an officer with a baccalaureate degree, the survival time of an officer with a masterαs degree, a doctorate degree, or a professional degree is greater by 29.1 percent, 23.9 percent or 8.2 percent, respectively. An officer with a masterαs degree, a doctorate degree, or a professional degree has a hazard of leaving the Army that is 38.3 percent, 44.4 percent, or 75.6 percent, respectively, of that of a college graduate. Compared to an officer with a baccalaureate degree, the length of time to promotion to O-4 for an officer with a masterαs/doctorate degree or a professional degree is 0.2 percent shorter or 2.4 percent shorter, respectively. An officer with a masterαs degree or doctorate degree has a hazard of promotion that is 115.3 percent of that of an officer with a college degree. Having a professional degree has no significant effect on the hazard of promotion.