Expectations and Experiences of Retention-Critical Personnel Were Similar to Other Enlisted Personnel

The expectations and experiences of personnel serving in retention- critical occupations were similar to those of other enlisted personnel (see fig. More detailed information about the top reasons retention-critical personnel stay in and leave the military may be found in occupational appendices III through V.

		Intent to Make the Military a Career

The intent of those in retention-critical occupations to remain in the military for a 20-year career was virtually the same as for other enlisted personnel. The perceptions of personnel serving in retention-critical occupations were mixed. To the extent they have marketable skills, the perceptions of those in retention-critical occupations were equally or more positive than other enlisted personnel. In addition, most enlisted personnel also believed promotion opportunities would be better in the civilian world. Appendix II contains DOD's comments on this report. DOD's 1999 Survey of Active Duty Personnel helped us identify differences in these areas. Assessing Retention- Critical Personnel

We compared the survey responses of personnel serving in retention- critical occupations to those of other enlisted personnel. This set of beliefs leads to the conclusion that these personnel are being pulled out of the military rather than pushed out, as some have thought. Satisfaction and Career Intentions

Overall, electronic equipment repair personnel were generally as satisfied with the military way of life as were other enlisted personnel (see fig. Nearly half (47 percent) of the communications and intelligence specialists were satisfied with the military way of life.
Why GAO Did This Study

This report reviews the Department of Defense's 1999 broad-based survey of active duty personnel to help shed light on why servicemembers in critical occupational areas might be leaving the military. From comparing the responses of retention-critical personnel against other enlisted personnel, GAO concludes that personnel in retention-critical occupations are not being "pushed out" of the military by their experiences at a greater rate than other enlisted personnel. Rather, to the extent they possess marketable skills, it is more likely they are being "pulled out" of the military by more attractive civilian opportunities.

What GAO Found

Comparing retention-critical personnel against other enlisted personnel, GAO found that the expectations and experiences of personnel serving in retention-critical occupations were often similar to those of other enlisted personnel. Personnel in retention-critical occupations were generally as satisfied with military life as were other enlisted personnel and each group's career intentions were similar. Nearly half of both retention-critical and other enlisted personnel were satisfied with the military way of life. Perceptions of civilian life for those serving in retention-critical occupations were mixed. Overall, most enlisted personnel had a positive perception about work-related opportunities and the quality of life available in the civilian world. Those in retention-critical occupations that had highly marketable skills, such as electronics equipment repairers, were especially optimistic about their prospects for civilian employment.