Analysis of Factors Affecting the Retention Desires of Spouses of U.S. Navy Junior Enlisted Personnel

摘要

This thesis examines factors that influence the retention desires of spouses of US Navy junior enlisted personnel. Data were obtained from the 1999 Survey of Spouses of Active Duty Personnel on spouses who resided with the military member, whose significant other was in paygrades E1 to E4, and had between 9 months and 4 years of active duty service. Logistic regression is utilized to measure the influence of various demographic, military, and attitudinal variables on spouse's desire that the significant other stay on active duty. Significant positive influences include: spouse a member of a race/ethnic group other than White, Hispanic, or Black; service member an E4 rather than E-1 to E-3; and spouse perceives own education opportunities and healthcare benefits better in military life than in civilian world. Significant negative influences include: spouse is male; service member on sea duty; and number of PCS moves. Further research is recommended to identify policy changes that influence spouses to more strongly desire that their significant other remain on active duty.