Date of Award

3-23-2012

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Department of Operational Sciences

First Advisor

Darryl K. Ahner, PhD.

Abstract

The Air Force is dedicated to supporting the Combatant Commander through the use of Individual Augmentees (IAs) to fulfill joint mission requirements. Previous studies have explored how deployments affect retention; however, there has not been a great deal of focus on how IA deployments affect retention for Junior Air Force Officers in the Logistics, Support, Operations, Acquisitions, and Special Investigations career groups. This research utilizes the Individual Deployer (ID) definition to identify IAs through Personnel, Pay, and Deployment data provided by the Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC) from 2003-2009. Logistics Regression analysis was conducted to determine the effect of deployments on the odds of retention. Other independent variables consistent with the literature, such as Marital Status, Gender, Pay Grade, Commissioning Source, Deployment Type, and Career Group, also were observed to determine how they affect the odds of retention for Air Force Junior Officers. Survey responses drawn from Status of Forces surveys spanning fiscal years 2003-2009 were analyzed and compared and contrasted with the logistic regression results. This research develops analytical models for decision makers that identify factors that affect retention. Results show that the odds of retention increase for Males, personnel who are married, and personnel in the Logistics Career Group. The odds of retention decrease for Females, personnel in the Support Career Group, and personnel who commission through ROTC.

AFIT Designator

AFIT-LSCM-ENS-12-22

DTIC Accession Number

ADA559668

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