An Analysis of the Extrinsic and Intrinsic Factors Affecting the Career Decisions of West Point Educated Junior Grade Officers Who Have Resigned from the U.S. Army.

摘要

This study is designed to determine what factors are influencing junior officers to leave the military organization. A questionnaire was mailed to 324 West Point Graduates. The sample was equally divided between active duty officers and officers who had resigned from the Army. Personnel were queried regarding the influence of extrinsic and intrinsic factors on their career decisions. Responses were analyzed through text and tables throughout this study. Results indicated that both extrinsic and intrinsic factors influenced the young officer to stay in or leave the Army. The influence of senior officers, family separations, perception of proper utilization of background skills, money, fringe benefits and intrinsic motivators were found to be important in influencing the junior officer's career decision. It is evident that this research has only lightly touched the subject of junior officer retention. It is hoped that it will be utilized for future, more extensive research and in that aspect materially aid the Army with the retention problem and in turn increase the young officer's job satisfaction.