Surface Warfare Junior Officer Retention: Background and First Sea Tour Factors as Predictors of Continuance Beyond Obligated Services

摘要

This report is the fifth in a series that addresses factors that affect the early career/professional development and retention of junior surface warfare officers (SWOs). The sample consisted of 128 junior SWOs commissioned during 1974-75 who had responded to a career development questionnaire in early 1979. Of these, 58 (45%) had left service at the end of obligation and 70 (55%) remained on active duty (as of September 1981). Background and first sea tour factors were used to predict career intent and continuance. Results showed that career intent was substantially associated with a combination of first sea tour work experiences and percentages. Career intent, in turn, was found to account for substantial variance (R square = .25) in the continuance criterion. Results strongly supported the hypothesis that continuance decisions are the product of early navy work experiences (e.g., opportunities, assignment patterns, etc.). Results are discussed with attention to leadership, assignment, and policy implications.