Correlates of Military Satisfaction and Attrition among Army Personnel

Abstract : The purpose of this study was to determine relationships between Army organizational variables and levels of soldier satisfaction, as well as to assess correlates of attrition and battalion effectiveness ratings. The study was based on a secondary analysis of data collected in the Army Life-78 Study; subjects were 8,140 personnel assigned to 60 different battalions. In addition to the Army Life-78 survey a variety of administrative data were considered. The most striking finding of the project is that three types of satisfaction (job satisfaction, sense of equity from the Army, and overall satisfaction with the Army) are extremely closely related to variables of organizational climate (e.g. , motivation and communication) and also very highly associated with several job characteristics. To a lesser, but still significant extent, satisfaction is a function of several types of endogenous Army life problems (e.g., salary, time off, etc.). This study suggests that at least three dimensions of satisfaction among military personnel are a function of organizational variables over which the Army likely exerts some influence. It may well be that modification of these organizational variables would effect levels of attrition as well. The study also includes recommendations for methodological changes in future research in the area.