Determinants of Post-Training Attrition in the Army and Air Force

A study was conducted to identify the separate influences of individual background characteristics and service environment on post-training attrition in the Army and Air Force. A second objective of the study was to determine whether the correlates of post-training attrition vary across services and military occupations. Data for the analysis of attrition behavior were obtained from the FY75 Cohort File created by the Defense Manpower Data Center. These data indicate that military occupation and duty location are significantly correlated with post-training attrition, after controlling for individual characteristics. Among individual characteristics, the research demonstrates that high school graduates have much lower post-training attrition rates than nongraduates and that participation in a delayed entry program prior to entering the military tends to reduce substantially the likelihood of attrition. Married recruits are less likely to leave early than single recruits, but the presence of children enhances attrition. Recommendations were made calling for more stringent accession screens, for changing personnel practices to reduce the incentives to leave high-attrition work environments and locations, and for either altering the mix of military occupations held or enhancing the attractiveness of high-attrition occupations. (MN)