An analysis of the role of service-specific risk factors in active duty Navy suicides

Abstract

This thesis analyzes the role of service-specific risk factors in active duty U.S. Navy suicides from 2002 to 2012. Through logit regression analysis, I estimate what service-specific factors are associated with the occurrence of active duty U.S. Navy suicides: in particular, paygrade, rating, designator, warfare platform, combat zone deployment status, and accession waiver are evaluated. Demographic variables are likely correlated with service-specific factors, so they are included as covariates. Demographics include gender, age, race, and marital status and were obtained from the Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC). Suicide data were obtained from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System (AFMES). I find enlisted supply ratings and enlisted non-moral accession waivers exhibit higher odds of suicide, while undesignated enlisted ratings, enlisted submarine and aircraft carrier assignments, and officer surface designators exhibit lower odds of suicide. I also find enlisted rates, officer ranks, and combat zone deployment status are not statistically significant risk factors of suicide in the active duty Navy population. I recommend future suicide risk factor research be focused on supply ratings and warfare platforms.