Analysis of Prior Enlisted Officer Retention at the 20-Year Point.

摘要

This thesis compares the retention rates of prior and non-prior enlisted naval officers who have served 20 years and are eligible to retire, and it finds that prior enlisted officers leave the Navy after 20 years of service at a greater rate, 310 percent, than non-prior enlisted colleagues. Furthermore, this study tests whether expanding the existing talent pool through increased diversification can offset talent leakage among the officer corps. The primary source of data is the Defense Manpower Data Center. The study uses a cost benefit analysis approach to quantify the opportunity cost for an officer leaving the Navy at 20 years of service in lieu of serving 30 years. Based off a wide range of financial variables considered, the cost benefit analysis in this study finds that prior enlisted naval officers are better off by $211,000 to continue service through the 30-year point. Several recommendations are made regarding future research and retaining prior enlisted officers.