Pre-Entry Expectations, Attitudes, and Intentions to Join Predict Military Tenure

The objective of this study was to examine pre-entry expectations, attitudes, and intentions as predictors of tenure among military members. Data from nationally representative (U.S.) samples of youth on attitudes toward military service, expectations about the effect of joining the military on qual...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Military psychology 2013-01, Vol.25 (1), p.36-45
Main Authors: Ford, Michael T, Gibson, Jennifer L, DeCesare, Andrew L, Marsh, Sean M, Griepentrog, Brian K
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Attitudes
behavioral intentions
Expectations
job choice
Military personnel
Occupational choice
Quality of life
recruiting
retention
Tenure
turnover
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Summary:The objective of this study was to examine pre-entry expectations, attitudes, and intentions as predictors of tenure among military members. Data from nationally representative (U.S.) samples of youth on attitudes toward military service, expectations about the effect of joining the military on quality of life, and intentions to join the military were linked to tenure among those who later joined the military as adults. Results from survival analyses indicate that those who initially had no desire to join the military and did not expect military service to have positive effects on their quality of life, but ultimately joined the military nonetheless, tended to have shorter military careers. Explanations for these findings are offered along with implications for military staffing.
ISSN:0899-5605
1532-7876
DOI:10.1037/h0094755