Determinants of first-term attrition for enlisted and officer selected Marine Corps reservists

Abstract

This study examines the factors that correlate with first-term attrition of enlisted Marines and officers in the Selected Marine CorpsReserve (SMCR). The data for this study were provided by Headquarters Marine CorpsManpower and Reserve Affairs for fiscal years 2001 through 2014. We create two separate multivariate models to identify the causes of attrition for both populations. The enlisted personnel model used finds that rank and education have the greatest effect on the attrition behavior of enlisted Marines, while the Armed Forces Qualification Test scores and waiver have the least effect. For officers, rank has the greatest effect on the attrition probability, while age and unit type variables have the least effects. Numerous other variables under different categories were found to have significant effects on Marine SMCR attrition behavior. Some variables have different effects on each population, such as marital status. This variable is associated with higher attrition rates for enlisted personnel, while it decreases the attrition probability of officers. Other variables in this category include Physical Fitness Test scores, unit type, and number of dependents.