Redefining the Australian Army Officer Corps allocation process

Abstract

Data was obtained from 6,114 United States Marine Corps (USMC) Officers who graduated from The Basic School (TBS). The USMC data was used to conduct regression analysis on how Military Occupational Specialties (MOS) allocation affects retention. The regression model that was developed was a linear probability model. The results from the regression showed that retention was positively affected by receiving your first MOS preference and negatively affected by receiving an MOS outside your top three preferences. The USMC MOS allocation process is very similar to the Australian Army's corps allocation process and the voluntary nature of military service in both countries enables comparisons to be drawn. Within the Australian Army, both the strength and the direction of the variable affects would be similar to those in the USMC. Optimization models were developed that maximized cadet preferences whilst also meeting service requirements. Data from cadets who graduated from the Royal Military College in 2008 and 2009 was utilized to assess four different optimization models. The models that were developed showed significant increases in those cadets who received their first or second preference and significant decreases in cadets being allocated to the third, fourth or other preferences.