Reenlistment Intentions of Citizen Soldiers in the U.S. Army

Abstract

This article analyzes the economic, attitudinal, institutional, and affective variables involved in predicting reenlistment intentions of citizen soldiers, i.e., Select Reserve and National Guard, in the U.S. Army. Data from the 1986 U.S. Department of Defense's Reserve Components Survey, matched with Reserve Components Common Personnel Data System files for 1985 to 1991, are analyzed to estimate the probability of reenlistment. The estimates reveal that reenlistment probability increases with an increase in reserve earnings, preferably as these match or surpass civilian wage opportunities. The attitudinal and affective variables, such as a spouse's favorable attitude toward the reservist's reenlistment, or a reservist's satisfaction with military life, or his/her job satisfaction, also increase reenlistment intentions. Reenlistment probability is, however, reduced if the reservist's primary job requires 45 or more hours per week, if a reservist's spouse is working for pay, or if a reservist spends a smaller percentage of time in the Primary Military Occupational Specialty (PMOS) for which he/she is trained. Policy implications of these results are discussed in the context of increasing reenlistment.