Adaptation to First Term Enlistment among Women in the Marine Corps

摘要

Pates of premature first-term attrition approach 50% among women Marines. We propose that adjustment to first term enlistment among women and men in the US Marine Corps (USMC) will be associated with distal factors (i.e., psychiatric histories, exposure to childhood stressors), proximal factors (i.e., task and socioemotional characteristics of the military setting) and their interaction. This prospective, longitudinal study assessed USMC recruits throughout the initial 19 months of their first-term enlistment. Participants reported disturbingly high rates of premilitary trauma, with women reporting significantly more trauma than men. Attrition was significantly higher in both male and female recruits reporting a history of interpersonal trauma. Poorer preparation for recruit training as measured by participation in Delayed Entry Program, pool meetings, and perceived preparedness was associated with increased attrition. Lower self efficacy and higher levels of anxiety and depression during the first week of recruit training also were associated with increased attrition. The relation of childhood trauma to emotional reaction to the acute stress of recruit training appears to be mediated by internal resources (self- esteem, hardiness, problem solving ability). This investigation informs policy makers and clinicians concerned with improving retention in the USMC and optimizing both women's and men's performance and adaptation.