An Investigation of Lost Time and Utilization in a Sample of First-Term Male and Female Soldiers

Abstract : This research investigated the length and frequency of male and female soldiers' absences from their jobs for reasons classified as lost time reasons, the extent to which male and female soldiers are given day-to-day experience in the various tasks that go with their MOS, and the implications of the findings for unit readiness. Data on lost time were obtained from a 5-day log kept by the soldier's supervisor. Data on day-to-day task experience were obtained from a questionnaire completed by the supervisor. Several additional measures were obtained including--to assess credibility-- Major findings were as follows: Approximately two-thirds of the soldiers, both men and women, were away from their jobs for some time during the 5-day period, either for a lost-time reason or for some other reason. In the lost-time category of medical and health reasons, proportionately more women than men and were away from their jobs. For all lost-time categories combined, the amount of time away from the job was about the same for the men and the women. None of the other comparisons of the lost time showed consistent male-female differences. Supervisors tended to use their male and female soldiers in different and predictable (i.e., traditional) ways. These differences were extremely small, but they were consistent.