Improving the Retention of First-Term Enlistees in the United States Marine Corps

Abstract

Successfully meeting its mission requires the United States Marine Corps to maintain a ready force composed of the correct mix of occupational specialties and military ranks. Currently, the Marine Corps lacks sufficient Marines in grades E-5 and E-6 to meet operational needs across the force. To test the organizational hypothesis that attrited Marines experience frequent buyer’s remorse, this study assessed perceptions, experiences, and affinity for service after the Marine has been separated for a year or longer using a newly developed survey instrument. The study yielded five central findings that informed four recommendations to the Marine Corps to improve retention, drive personnel satisfaction, and encourage interested attrited Marines to return to active duty service.