__- ___--- - 

.July 1990 WOMEN IN THE 

MILITARY 

Attrition and 

Retention 

REsTBIcrED-- Not to be released outside the 

General Accounting OfYlce unless speclfkally 

approved by the Offlce of Congressional 

Relationa 

5*050 

GAO,, NSIAD-90-87BR 

United States 

General Accounting Offke 

Washington, D.C. 20548 

National Security and 

International Affairs Division 

B-230552 

July 26, 1990 

The Honorable Beverly B. Byron 

Chairman, Subcommittee on Military 

Personnel and Compensation 

Committee on Armed Services 

House of Representatives 

Dear Madam Chairman: 

This report responds to your request that we examine the comparability 

of attrition and retention rates for men and women in the four military 

services. Because of your Subcommittee’s interest in issues concerning 

women in the military, you asked us to 

. compare attrition rates for men and women in officer and enlisted 

grades, 

l identify the primary separation categories for enlisted men and women 

during their first enlistment term, and 

l compare retention rates for men and women in officer and enlisted 

grades. 

In this report, we use “attrition” to refer to the voluntary and involuntary loss of military personnel prior to completion of the first term of 

enlistment or obligated duty. “Retention” refers to the voluntary continuation in military service after completing the initial obligation. 

Our review covered fiscal years 1980 through 1988 and included active 

duty personnel only. For enlisted attrition, we focused on the major 

enlistment terms in each service: the 3- and 4-year terms in the Army, 

and the Pyear term in the Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps. 

Since the inception of the All Volunteer Force in 1973, the number of 

women in the military has increased from 2.5 percent of total forces in 

1973 to 10.4 percent in 1988. Table 1 shows this growth by service. 

Page 1 GAO/NSIADW7BB Attrition and Retention 
Tablo 1: Number and Portent of Women 

in the Sewices (Fiscal Years 1973 and 1988) 

Service 

Air Force 

Navy 

Marine Corns 

Fiscal year 1973 

Number Peoyy:;:t 

of women 

19,750 29 

12.628 2.3 

Fiscal year 1999 

Number Pey;tt 

of women 

---- 

73.800 129 

54696 94 

22883 -,--- 12 9612 

- 

49 

2.6 83.261 109 

55.402 2.5 221,649 10.4 

Army 

TOtrl 

20.736 

I 

As more women entered the military, officials expressed a concern 

about higher separation rates for women than men. 

Several govenunent and nongovernment studies have addressed attrition and retention issues, and some have focused on women. These 

studies generally examined one aspect of attrition or retention, and frequently focused on one service. The studies also generally worked with 

data from the 1970s and early 1980s. 

For example, a 1984 study sponsored by the U.S. Army examined the 

impact of occupational specialties and gender on first-tour enlisted attrition in the Army. The study sample group entered the Army in fiscal 

year 1976. A recent cross-service study by the RAND Corporation issued 

in August 1988 examined attrition among high quality enlisted 

personnel. 

Results in Brief 

Enlisted Attrition Women generally leave the service at higher rates than men. The overall 

attrition loss for enlisted women was 48.6 percent, or 4.5 percentage 

points higher than the 44.1 percent rate for men. However, the basic 

pattern of attrition losses for both men and women was similar. That is, 

most first term losses for both men and women occurred in the first 3 

months when recruits generally have basic training, and in the last 3 to 

6 months when people may leave the service early for reasons such as 

school attendance. 

In the intervening periods of the enlistment term, measured in 3-month 

intervals, both men and women left the services at relatively steady 

rates, ranging primarily from 1 to 4 percent of the total group that 

Pqp2 GAO/NSIADWWBB Attrition and Retention 
-- 

B220552 

entered the service in a given fiscal year. Women’s rates tended to be 

slightly higher than men’s 

Enlisted Separation 

Categories 

Before completing their enlistment contract, enlistees may leave the service at their own request or they can be involuntarily separated from 

the service. Attrition losses during the first 6 months, for both men and 

women, were primarily for [inadequate] entry level performance. During 

the last 6 months, separations for both men and women were primarily 

for successful completion of the enlistment term, although many separations were early releases. 

For each 6-month period in between, men were primarily separated 

involuntarily for misconduct, unsatisfactory performance, and/or drugs 

or alcohol abuse, while women left primarily at their own request 

because of pregnancy. When we removed women’s voluntary separations for pregnancy from the data, men’s attrition was generally higher 

than women’s, although the differences were slight. 

Officer Attrition To review officer attrition, we looked at separations occurring during 

the first 3 years of service. Officer losses for each service in that period 

seldom exceeded 12 percent for men or women. For the four services 

together, women officer loss rates were less than 2 percentage points 

higher than men’s. For each service separately, the differences in rates 

were greater. Except in the Navy, women’s loss rates generally exceeded 

men’s. 

Enlhted Retention Although enlisted retention is voluntary, the services determine 

whether a person will be allowed to reenlist based on such factors as 

professional growth and physical fitness. Except for the Army, men 

tended to have higher eligibility rates than women after the first term, 

while women had higher eligibility rates after the third enlistment. 

Retention of eligible women after the second term, and after third or 

subsequent terms (career), was generally lower than for men. The 

greatest differences in eligibility and retention rates occurred after the 

third enlistment. 

Officer Retention After completing their initial obligation, officers may remain in the service until they resign or fail to get promoted after being considered a 

second time. The greatest differences in retention rates for men and 

P8ge 3 GAO/NSlADMJHBB &t&ion and Retention 
5220552 

women officers appeared after 3,4, and 20 years of service. For the 

services combined, men’s retention rates after 3 years ranged from 7.9 

to 9.9 percentage points higher than women’s. After 4 years they were 

from 3.9 to 4.4 percentage points higher. After 20 years of service, however, women’s retention was higher by 3 to 9 percentage points. 

Observations on 

Attrition and 

Retention Rates 

The attrition and retention rate differences between men and women 

can be characterized in ways that could potentially exaggerate their significance, For example, in fiscal year 1986,5.4 percent of the 46,784 

men and 8.0 percent of the 10,994 women who enlisted in the Air Force 

left the military in the first 2 months of service. While the actual difference in attrition rates was 2.6 percentage points, representing about 884 

women, women’s attrition could be characterized as being 48 percent 

higher than men’s. 

Presenting the rate differences in this way, however, tends to be misleading because it does not provide sufficient information for assessing 

the importance of the rate difference. To effectively assess rate differences, it is important to know the actual percentage point spread, the 

number of people affected, and the issue concerned. 

Appendixes I and II present a detailed discussion of the results of our 

review of attrition and retention rates. Appendixes III and IV contain 

the full set of attrition and retention rates and tables for each service, 

including data on the number of people involved in the statistical computations, except for officer retention data because of their complexity 

and volume. This data will enable analysis of the significance of attrition and retention of men and women in the context of specific issues. 

The Department of Defense reviewed a draft of this report and fully 

concurred with it. 

As arranged with your office, unless you publicly announce its contents 

earlier, we plan no further distribution of this report until 7 days from 

its issue date. At that time, we wlll send copies to the Chairmen, Senate 

Committee on Armed Services, House and Senate Committees on Appropriations, House Committee on Government Operations, and Senate 

Committee on Governmental Affairs; the Director, Office of Manage 

ment and Budget; and the Secretaries of Defense, the Air Force, Army, 

and Navy; and other interested parties. We will also make copies available to others upon request. 

Pye 4 GAO- Attrition and Retention 
If you or your staff have any questions, please call me on (202) 275 

3990. Major contributors are listed in appendix VI. 

Sincerely yours, 

Paul L. Jones 

Director, Defense Force Management Issues 

Page.6 GAO- AwLtkr uul Retention 
Contents 

Letter 1 

Appendix1 

Comparisonof 

AttritionRatesofMen 

andwomeninthe 

Military 

14 

Appendix II 

Comparisonof 

RetentionRatesof 

MenandWomenin 

the Military 

41 

Appendix III 

Attrition Data 

63 

AppendixIV 

Retention Data 

86 

AppendixV 

Objectives,Scope, and 

Methodology 

142 

AppendixVI 

CommentsFromthe 

Department of 

Defense 

144 

AppendixVII 

MajorContributorsto 

ThisReport 

145 
-’ 

Contents 

Tables Table 1: Kumber and Percent of Women in the Services 

(Fiscal Years 1973 and 1988) 

Table 1.1: Percentage Point Differences in Attrition Rates 

of Enlisted Men and Women (Fiscal Year 1984 

Enlistees--$-Year Enlistment) 

Table 1.2: Differences in Men’s and Women’s Attrition 

During First 3 Months of Service 

Table 1.3: Differences in Term Attrition Rates of Enlisted 

Men and Women (Fiscal Year Enlistees) 

Table 1.4: Differences in Attrition Rates of Enlisted Men 

and Women for Enlistment Term Minus the Last 6 

Months (Fiscal Year Enlistees) 

Table 1.5: Primary Categories of Separation During First 6 

Months of Service for All Services (Enlistees for 

Fiscal Year 1984) 

Table 1.6: Misconduct as a Percentage of Total Men’s 

Separations During 6-Month Intervals of Enlistment 

Term (Fiscal Year 1984 EnIistees4-Year 

Enlistment) 

Table 1.7: Unsatisfactory Performance and Drugs or 

Alcoholism as a Percentage of Total Men’s 

Separations in the Army During 6-Month Intervals of 

the Enlistment Term 

Table 1.8: Pregnancy as a Percentage of Total Women’s 

Separations During &Month Intervals of Enlistment 

Term (Fiscal Year 1984 Enlistees) 

Table 1.9: Differences in Men’s and Women’s Attrition 

Rates Without Pregnancy Separations for Women 

(Fiscal Year 1984 EnIistees4-Year Enlistment) 

Table 1.10: Officer Separations for First 3 Years of Service 

(Fiscal Years 1981 Through 1985). 

Table III. 1: Number of Men and Women Enlisting in the 

Services (Fiscal Years 1980 Through 1985-4-Year 

Enlistment) 

Table 111.2: Attrition Rates for the Services Combined at 

3-Month Intervals for Q-Year Enlistment Term (Fiscal 

Years 1980 Through 1984) 

Table 111.3: Air Force Attrition Rates at 3-Month Intervals 

for 4-Year Enlistment Term (Fiscal Years 1980 

Through 1984) 

2 

21 

22 

34 

35 

36 

37 

38 

38 

39 

40 

64 

65 

67 

Page 7 GAO/NSUDMWRR Attrition and Retention 

--. 
Contents 

Table 111.4: Navy Attrition Rates at 3-Month Intervals for 

$-Year Enlistment Term (Fiscal Years 1980 Through 

1984) 

Table 111.5: Marine Corps Attrition Rates at S-Month 

Intervals for 4-Year Enlistment Term (Fiscal Years 

1980 Through 1984) 

Table 111.6: Army Attrition Rates at 3-Month Intervals for 

4-Year Enlistment Term (Fiscal Years 1980 Through 

1984) 

Table 111.7: Army Attrition Rates at 3-Month Intervals for 

3-Year Enlistment Term (Fiscal Years 1980 Through 

1985) 

Table 111.8: Enlisted Attrition Rates for Enlistment Term 

(Fiscal Years 1980 Through 1985) 

Table 111.9: Enlisted Attrition Rates for Enlistment Term 

Minus the Last 6 Months (Fiscal Years 1980 Through 

1986) 

Table III. 10: Misconduct as a Percentage of Total Men’s 

Separations During 6-Month Intervals (Fiscal Years 

1982 Through 1984-4-Year Enlistment) 

Table III. 11: Unsatisfactory Performance, and Drugs and 

Alcoholism as a Percentage of Total Enlisted Men’s 

Separations From the Army During 6-Month 

Intervals (Fiscal Years 1982 Through 1985) 

Table 111.12: Pregnancy as a Percentage of Total Enlisted 

Women’s Separations During 6-Month Intervals 

(Fiscal Years 1982 Through 1984) 

Table 111.13: Differences in Enlisted Attrition Rates for 

Men and Women During 6-Month IntervaIs, 

Excluding Women’s Separations for Pregnancy 

(Fiscal Years 1982 Through 1984-4-Year 

Enlistment) 

Table 111.14: Number of Officers Entering the Services 

(Fiscal Years 1981 Through 1985) 

Table 111.15: Categorization of Defense Manpower Data 

Center Interservice Separation Codes 

Table IV. 1: Enlisted Retention for the Services Combined 

(Fiscal Years 1984 Through 1988) 

Table IV.2: Air Force Enlisted Retention (Fiscal Years 

1984 Through 1988) 

Table IV.3: Navy Enlisted Retention (Fiscal Years 1984 

Through 1988) 

69 

71 

73 

7.7 

77 

78 

79 

80 

81 

82 

83 

84 

87 

89 

91 

Page 8 GAO/NSLUMlWBB Attrition and Retention 
Contents 

Table IV.4: Marine Corps Enlisted Retention (Fiscal Years 

1984 Through 1988) 

Table IV.5: Army Enlisted Retention (Fiscal Years 1984 

Through 1988) 

Table IV.6: Officer Retention Rates for the Services 

Combined (Fiscal Years 1984 Through 1988) 

Table IV.7: Air Force Officer Retention Rates (Fiscal 

Years 1984 Through 1988) 

Table IV.8: Navy Officer Retention Rates (Fiscal Years 

1984 Through 1988) 

Table IV.9: Army Officer Retention Rates (Fiscal Years 

1984 Through 1988) 

93 

95 

134 

136 

138 

140 

Figures Figure I. 1: Enlisted Attrition for the Services Combined at 

3-Month Intervals (Fiscal Year 1984 EnlisteesQ-Year Enlistment) 

Figure 1.2: Air Force Enlisted Attrition at 3-Month 

Intervals (Fiscal Year 1984 Enlistees-4-Year 

Enlistment) 

Figure 1.3: Navy Enlisted Attrition at 3-Month Intervals 

(Fiscal Year 1984 Enlistees-4-Year Enlistment) 

Figure 1.4: Marine Corps Enlisted Attrition at 3-Month 

Intervals (Fiscal Year 1984 Enlistees-4-Year 

Enlistment) 

Figure 1.5: Army Enlisted Attrition at 3-Month Intervals 

(Fiscal Year 1984 Enlistees-4-Year Enlistment) 

Figure 1.6: Army Enlisted Attrition at 3-Month Intervals 

(Fiscal Year 1984 Enlistees-3-Year Enlistment) 

Figure 1.7: Army Enlisted Attrition at 3-Month Intervals 

(Fiscal Year 1985 Enlistees-3-Year Enlistment) 

Figure 1.8: Enlisted Attrition for the Services Combined 

(Enlistees for Fiscal Years 1980 Through 1984- 

4-Year Enlistment) 

Figure 1.9: Air Force Enlisted Attrition (Enlistees for 

Fiscal Years 1980 Through 1984-4-Year Enlistment) 

Figure I. 10: Navy Enlisted Attrition (Enlistees for Fiscal 

Years 1980 Through 19844-Year Enlistment) 

Figure I. 11: Marine Corps Enlisted Attrition (EnIistees for 

Fiscal Years 1980 Through 1984~4-Year Enlistment) 

Figure 1.12: Army Enlisted Attrition (Enlistees for Fiscal 

Years 1980 Through 1984-4-Year Enlistment) 

15 

16 

17 

18 

19 

20 

21 

23 

24 

25 

26 

27 

Page 9 GAO/NSIADWWBR Attrition and Retention 
Contents 

- 

Figure I. 13: Army Enlisted Attrition (Enlistees for Fiscal 

Years 1980 Through 1985-3-Year Enlistment) 

Figure I. 14: Enlisted Attrition for the Services Combined 

for 4-Year Terms Minus the Last 6 Months (Enlistees 

for Fiscal Years 1980 Through 1984) 

Figure 1.15: Air Force Enlisted Attrition for the 4-Year 

Term Minus the Last 6 Months (Enlistees for Fiscal 

Years 1980 Through 1984) 

Figure I. 16: Navy Enlisted Attrition for the 4-Year Term 

Minus the Last 6 Months (Enlistees for Fiscal Years 

1980 Through 1984) 

Figure I. 17: Marine Corps Enlisted Attrition for the 4 

Year Term Minus the Last 6 Months (Enlistees for 

Fiscal Years 1980 Through 1984) 

Figure I. 18: Army Enlisted Attrition for the 4-Year Term 

Minus the Last 6 Months (Enlistees for Fiscal Years 

1980 Through 1984) 

Figure I. 19: Army EnIisted Attrition for the 3-Year Term 

Minus the Last 6 Months (Enlistees for Fiscal Years 

1980 Through 1985) 

Figure II. 1: Eligibility for Reenlistment for the Services 

Combined - First Term 

Figure 11.2: Reenlistment of Eligible Persons for the 

Services Combined - First Term 

Figure 11.3: Reenlistments as a Percentage of Total 

Separations for the Services Combined - First Term 

Figure 11.4: Eligibility for Reenlistment for the Services 

Combined - Second Term 

Figure 11.5: Reenlistment of Eligible Persons for the 

Services Combined - Second Term 

Figure 11.6: Reenlistments as a Percentage of Total 

Separations for the Services Combined - Second Term 

Figure 11.7: Eligibility for Reenlistment for the Services 

Combined - Career 

Figure 11.8: Reenlistment of Eligible Persons for the 

Services Combined - Career 

Figure 11.9: Reenlistments as a Percentage of Total 

Separations for the Services Combined - Career 

Figure 11.10: Officer Retention for the Services Combined 

(at the Epd of 3 Years of Service) 

Figure II. 11: Officer Retention for the Services Combined 

(at the End of 20 Years of Service) 

28 

29 

30 

31 

32 

33 

34 

44 

45 

46 

47 

48 

49 

50 

51 

52 

54 

55 

P8ge 10 GAO/NSIAMOWBR Attrition and Retention 
Figure 11.12: Air Force Officer Retention (at the End of 3 

Years of Service) 

Figure 11.13: Air Force Officer Retention (at the End of 4 

Years of Service) 

Figure II. 14: Air Force Officer Retention (at the End of 20 

Years of Service) 

Figure 11.15: Navy Officer Retention (at the End of 3 

Years of Service) 

Figure 11.16: Navy Officer Retention (at the End of 20 

Years of Service) 

Figure II. 17: Army Officer Retention (at the End of 3 

Years of Service) 

Figure 11.18: Army Officer Retention (at the End of 20 

Years of Service) 

Figure IV-l: Air Force Eligibility for Reenlistment - First 

Term 

Figure IV.2: Air Force Reenlistment of Eligible Persons - 

First Term 

Figure IV.3: Air Force Reenlistments as a Percentage of 

Total Separations - First Term 

Figure IV.4: Air Force Eligibility for Reenlistment - 

Second Term 

Figure IV.5: Air Force Reenlistment of Eligible Persons - 

Second Term 

Figure IV.6: Air Force Reenlistments as a Percentage of 

Total Separations - Second Term 

Figure IV.7: Air Force Eligibility for Reenlistment - Career 

Figure IV.8: Air Force Reenlistment of Eligible Persons - 

Career 

Figure IV.9: Air Force Reenlistments as a Percentage of 

Total Separations - Career 

Figure IV. 10: Navy Eligibility for Reenlistment -First 

Term 

Figure IV. 11: Navy Reenlistment of Eligible Persons - 

First Term 

Figure IV. 12: Navy Reenlistments as a Percentage of Total 

Separations - First Term 

Figure IV.13: Navy Eligibility for Reenlistment - Second 

Term 

Figure IV. 14: Navy Reenlistment of Eligible Persons - 

Second Term 

Figure IV.15: Navy Reenlistments as a Percentage of Total 

Separations - Second Term 

Page 11 GAO/NSuDSO.87RP Attrition and Retention 

56 

57 

58 

59 

60 

61 

62 

98 

99 

100 

101 

102 

103 

104 

105 

106 

107 

108 

109 

110 

111 

112 
Chntentr 

Figure IV. 16: Navy Eligibility for Reenlistment - Career 

Figure IV. 17: Navy Reenlistment of Eligible Persons - 

Career 

Figure IV. 18: Navy Reenlistments as a Percentage of Total 

Separations - Career 

Figure IV. 19: Marine Corps Eligibility for Reenlistment - 

First Term 

Figure IV.20: Marine Corps Reenlistment of Eligible 

Persons - First Term 

Figure IV.21 : Marine Corps Reenlistments as a Percentage 

of Total Separations - First Term 

Figure IV.22: Marine Corps Eligibility for Reenlistment - 

Second Term 

Figure IV.23: Marine Corps Reenlistment of Eligible 

Persons - Second Term 

Figure IV.24: Marine Corps Reenlistments as a Percentage 

of Total Separations - Second Term 

Figure IV.25 Marine Corps Eligibility for Reenlistment - 

Career 

Figure IV.26: Marine Corps Reenlistment of Eligible 

Persons - Career 

Figure IV.27: Marine Corps Reenlistments as a Percentage 

of Total Separations - Career 

Figure IV.28: Army Eligibility for Reenlistment - First 

Term 

Figure IV.29: Army Reenlistment of Eligible Persons - 

First Term 

Figure IV.30: Army Reenlistments as a Percentage of 

Total Separations - First Term 

Figure IV.31: Army Eligibility for Reenlistment - Second 

Term 

Figure IV.32: Army Reenlistment of Eligible Persons - 

Second Term 

Figure IV.33: Army Reenhtments as a Percentage of 

Total Separations - Second Term 

Figure IV.34: Army Eligibility for Reenlistment - Career 

Figure IV.36: Army Reenlistment of Eligible Persons - 

Career 

Figure IV.36: Army ReenIistments as a Percentage of 

Total Separations - Career 

113 

114 

115 

116 

117 

118 

119 

120 

121 

122 

123 

124 

125 

126 

127 

128 

129 

130 

131 

132 

133 

P8ge 12 GAO/-R Attrition and Retention 
Page 13 GAO/NSLUWOWRR Attrition and Retention 
Comparison of Attrition Rates of Men and 

Women in the Militaq 

Women generally left the service at higher rates than men. Enlisted 

women’s total attrition exceeded men’s, but the pattern of separation 

from the service during the enlistment term was similar for men and 

women. The primary difference in enlisted attrition throughout the 

enlistment term appears during the first 3 months of service, when most 

separations for basic training occur. 

After the first 6 months of service, men were separated primarily involuntarily for misconduct, unsatisfactory performance, and drugs or 

alcohol abuse, while women left primarily for pregnancy at their own 

request. Voluntary separations for pregnancy were a major contributor 

to higher female attrition between the first and last 6 months of service. 

Women officers generally separated at higher rates than men. 

Enlisted Attrition We reviewed attrition rates for enlisted men and women (1) at regularly 

spaced intervals of 3 months during the entire enlistment term to 

observe attrition patterns through an entire enlistment period and (2) 

for total enlistment terms and terms minus the last 6 months to determine overall attrition. We reviewed this data for enlistees entering the 

service during fiscal years 1980 through 1984 for 4-year enlistments 

and through 1985 for the Army’s 3-year enlistments. 

Attrition Patterns Similar Attrition patterns for men and women were similar throughout the 

duration of their first enlistment. Most attrition for both men and 

women occurred (1) in the first 3 months of service, when basic training 

occurs, and (2) in the last 3 to 6 months of service, during which enlistees may leave the service early and still successfully complete their 

enlistment. 

From the fourth month of service until 42 months of service, there was a 

steady loss of both men and women at similar rates ranging generally 

from 1 to 3 percent of the entering group each 3-month period. For 

Army 3-year enlistments, that steady loss rate was slightly higher, generally ranging from 1.3 to 4 percent. This pattern was consistent for all 

fiscal years reviewed. 

The primary difference in attrition rates for men and women during the 

enlistment term appears in the first 3 months of service. Differences in 

the last 3 to 6 months of an enlistment appear attributable to separations for successful completion of enlistment rather than to attrition. 

P8ge 14 GAO/NSlAD4047RR Attrition and Retention 
Con~puhn of Attrition States of Men and 

Women tn the Mllhry 

Figures I. 1 through I.7 show the 3-month pattern of men’s and women’s 

attrition for enlistees entering the military in fiscal year 1984, and fiscal 

year 1985 for the Army’s 3 year enlistment. Table I.1 presents the percentage point differences in men’s and women’s attrition during the 3- 

month intervals. Tables on attrition rates for each service for fiscal 

years 1980 through 1984 (through 1985 for the Army 3-year enlistment 

only) appear in appendix III in tables III.2 through 111.7. Table I.2 shows 

how the percentage differences in attrition for men and women during 

the first 3 months of an enlistment varied by service. 

Fig- 1.1: fnliatod Attrition for the Wrvkoa Cwobhod 8t 3-Month Intwwla (Fiscal Year 1984 Enlistaas-4-Year Enlistment) 

P8ge 15 GAO/NSlAD@O47BR Attrition and Retention 
Appendix I 

ComparIaon of Attrltion Rates of Men and 

Women in the MUItuy 

Figure 1.2: Air Force Enlirtod AttrMn at Mhnth Intofv~ls (Fiscal Year 1984 Enlistees-4-Year Enlistment) 

22kant 

20 

18 

16 

14 

12 

9 l .rm9, 

0 ,.., ,r ,I .I,,, ~,*...m,.- -_.,- . . .-, ,. ,_.- -, ,, .. ,, 

2 6 9 12 16 12 ?I 31 27 20 26 20 26 u 46 40 

Pa@ 16 GAO/NSlADM47Rl? Attrition and Retention 
Compubon of Attrklon Rates of Men and 

Women in the Military 

Figun 1.3: Nwy hnliatod Attrition at 3--Month Intwvrls (Fiscal Year 1984 Enlistees-4-Year Enlistment) 

22Pwow 

20 

12 

16 

14 

12 

P8ge 17 GAO/NSlAD@OWBR Attrition and Retention 
Appendix I 

.- 

Comparison of Attrition Rates of Men and 

Women in the Military 

Figure 1.4: Marino Corpr EnliMed Attrition at 3-Month Intwvrlr (fiscal Year 1984 Enlistees--4.Year Enlistment) 

22pmwrt 

20 

18 

16 ; 

8 

14 ; 

8 

2 6 

._., -_ -,,.... ,. ,,- -,_-..-,, I,.--,- 

S 12 1s 18 ?I II il so as n so 42 4s 40 

Page 18 GAO/NSIAD-B047Rl? Attrition and Retention 
CompuI8on of Attrition I&as of Men and 

Women in the Military 

Figun I.5 Army Enliatod Attrition at ~-MOM Int@wala (Fiscal Year 1984 Enlistees--GYear Enlistment) 

ahrant 

20 

10 

16 

14 

l 

12 x 

l 

10 

8 l , 

a l . 

l 

I 

4 

2 

0 

Page 19 GAO/-R Attrition and Retention 
Appendix I 

Compuiwn of Attrition Ratea of Men and 

Women in the Ml.Utur 

Figun 1.6: Army Enlisted Attrition at 3- 

Month Intonmlr (Fiscal Year 1984 

Enlistees--3sYear Enlistment) 22mald 

. 

20 

18 

10 

14 

12 ; 8 

10 8 l , 

0 

0 

4 

2 

0 

PIge 20 GAO/NSIAD-B047BR Attrition and Retention 
Appendix I 

CompuLon of Attrition Ratea of Men and 

Women in the MiLttvy 

Flqum 1.t: Army Enlistad Attrition at 3- 

Momth Intwvda (Fiscal Year 1985 

Enlistees-3-Year Enlistment) 22pracl( 

20 

14 

12 

10 

0 -_.-- - -.-, -., ,,,. -, .-*-. . ,.-. _ ,.,.,. 

2 6 s 12 18 u 2l s 27 20 a 26 

-MM 

.I-- wun#fl 

Tab40 1.1: Pommago Point Diffefoncu 

lnAttflEmn8tudEnllatedManarbd Air 

Wmon (Fiscal Year 1964 Enlistees4-Year Modlr Fore. Navy AmY Total 

Enlistment) 3 2.7 1.3 5.0 6.3 3.0 

6 -0.4 0.1 0.4 2.7 0.8 

9 0.5 0.2 0.1 1.6 0.8 

12 0.6 0.1 1.4 1.3 0.8 

15 0.4 0.3 1.9 0.5 0.8 

18 0.2 0.3 1.6 1.1 0.7 

21 0.3 0.1 0.7 0.4 0.2 

24 0.2 0.4 0.9 0.2 0.4 

27 0.5 0.2 0.2 -0.1 0.1 

30 0.4 0.2 0.5 0.1 0.3 

33 0.5 0.1 -0.2 0.0 0.2 

36 0.3 0.5 1.1 0.5 0.4 

39 0.4 0.1 0.8 0.6 0.4 

42 0.6 0.0 0.4 0.1 0.3 

45 -1.0 0.2 0.2 -0.3 0.3 

48 -1.5 -2.0 -5.9 -9.0 -4.7 

Note: Men’s rates were subtracted from women’s rates. Therefore, a positive difference indtcates a 

higher women’s rate, while a negative difference indicates a higher men’s rate. 

P8ge 21 GAO/NSmR Attrition md Betentlon 
Compuison of Attrition Rites of Men and 

Women in the MiIituy 

Table 1.2: Diffwoncer in Mon’a and 

Women’s Attrition During First 3 Months 

of Swvlco 

Figures In percent 

Swvice 

(CYear enlistment term) 

Air Force 

Navy 

Marine Corps 

AMY 

TOtOl 

Fircal war 

1980 1981 1982 1963 1984 1988’ 

3.4 2.2 1.7 14 2.7 

2.2 1.0 1.4 2.3 1 3 

3.5 -1.5 -.8 .2 5.0 

5.5 6.1 3.5 4.2 6.3 

3.1 1.9 1.4 1.8 3.0 

(3-Year enlirtmont term) 

Army 3.9 6.2 4.6 4.0 4.7 2.9 

aFiscal year 1985 applies only to the Army’s 3-year enlistment. 

Note: Men’s rates were subtracted from women’s rates. Therefore, a positive number indicates a higher 

women’s rate, whale a negative number indicates a higher men’s rate. 

Army and Marine Corps 

Have Greatest Differences 

Total loss rates for the first enlistment term generally were noticeably 

higher for women than men. The greatest differences in men’s and 

women’s rates overall occurred in the Marine Corps and in the 4-year 

enlistment term in the Army. Figures I.8 through I.13 show men’s and 

women’s separation rates 1 week short of the full calendar length of the 

enlistment term for each service, to show losses which occurred in less 

calendar time than the full 3- or 4 year commitment (see appendix III, 

table 111.8, for actual rates). Table I.3 presents the differences in those 

rates. Data on separation categories indicate that separations occurring 

during the last 6 months of an enlistment were primarily for successful 

completion of the term. For example, an Air Force enlistee may be 

released up to 96 calendar days early to enter or return to school, or the 

enlistee may be released as much as a month early if the original release 

date occurs near Christmas. 

Pye 22 GAO/-B Attrltlon and Retention 
Con~puison of Attrition Rates of Men and 

Women in the Military 

Figure 1.8: Enlisted Attrition for the 

gervicer Combined (Enlrstees for Fiscal 

Years 1980 Through 1964--4.Year 6sPuant 

Enlistment) 60 

55 

so 

46 

40 I 

Page 23 GAO/NSuDgo-87RR Attrition and Retention 
Appendix I 

Cknnpuison of Attrition Rate8 of Men and 

Women in the MUuy 

Figun 1.9: Air Forco Enlirtod Attrition 

(Enlistees for Fiscal Years 1980 Through 

1984-4-Year Enlistment) ssPage 24 GAO/NSIAB@3-g7BR Attrition and Retention 
- 

Comparison of Attrition tites of Men and 

Women tn the MlUtuy 

Figure 1.10: Navy Enlisted Attrition 

(ErGstees for Fiscal Years 1980 Through 

1984-4-Year Enlistment) wSo 

56 

So 

Page 25 GAO/NSLUMO-87I3R Attrition and Retention 
- 

-p&son of Attrition F&tea of Men and 

Women in the MlUtuy 

F/awe 1.11: Marine Corps Enlisted 

At&ion (Enlistees for Fiscal Years 1980 

Through 1984--4.Year Enlistment) w88 

Page 20 GAO/NSIADMbWBR Attrition and Retentiw 
Appendlx I 

Canparlaon of Attaition Ratea of Men and 

Women in the IUIlbry 

Figwo 1.12: Army Enlirtod Attrition 

(Enlistees for Fiscal Years 1980 Through 

19&I-4-Year Enlistment) w88 

88 

88 

48 

48 

38 

1 

Pw 27 GAO/NEUAMO47RR Attrition and Retention 
Compuimon of Amition I&tea of Men and 

Women in the Milituy 

Figun 1.13: Army Enlisted Attrition 

(Ekstees for Fiscal Years 1980 Through 

1985~3Year Enlistment) 68 

88 

88 

w 

48 

40 

38 

38 

28 

28 

11 

10 

s 

0 I 

To minimize the impact of early releases on attrition rates, we examined 

attrition rates without the last 6 months of an enlistment. The result 

was a general increase in the extent to which women’s attrition 

exceeded men’s, except for the Army’s I-year term. Figures I. 14 through 

I.19 show men’s and women’s attrition minus the last 6 months of the 

term. Table I.4 presents the percentage point differences in the rates for 

men and women (see appendix III, table 111.9, for actual rates). 

Page 28 GAO/N&UD&OMRBAttrItion and Retaaion 
Appendix I 

compul#HI of Attrition Bates of Men and 

Women in the MUItuy 

Figure 1.14: Enliatod Attrition for the 

6ervicoo Cofnblned for 4-Yorr Term8 

Mimm tb Lml6 Months (Enlistees for WPuanl 

Fiscal Years 1960 Through 1984) 88 

88 

80 

48 

40 

28 

10 

28 

20 

15 

1SW 

PlswlYw 

1Ul lam l##S 

1 

101 

Page 29 GAO/NS~R Attrition and Retention 
Appendix I 

Cmnpuison of Attrition Rates of Men and 

Women in the Military 

Figun 1.16: Air Force Enliatod Attrition 

for the bYoar Term Minw the Last 6 

Months (Enlistees for Fiscal Years 1980 whanl 

Through 1984) 88 

88 

88 

48 

P8ge go GAO/NSIADSOWBR Attrition and Retention 
Appendix I 

comparison of Attrition Rates of Men and 

Women in the MlUtuy 

Fbure 1.16: Navy Enlisted Attrition for the 

4-Year Ten Minus the Last 6 Months 

(Enlistees for Fiscal Years 1980 Through WPUOUU 

1984) 88 

88 

88 

48 

48 

38 

so 

21 

20 

16 

10 

8 

0 

~~ 

Page 3 1 GAO/NSIAD%M7BB Attrition and Retention 
Comparison of Attrition Ebea of Men and 

Women in the Milituy 

Figure 1.17: Marine Corps Enlisted 

Attrition for the 4-Year Term Minus the 

Last 6 Months (Enktees for Fiscal Years 65 - 

1980 Through 1984) 60 

58 

so 

4s 

40 

35 

30 

2u 

20 

12 

10 

8 

0 3 

l#W 1Ul l# lW2 l#U 

MYW 

Page 32 GAO/NSIADBO&7BR Attrition and Xetentt 
lhnpahon of Attrition I&tea of Men and 

Women in the Milkmy 

Figure 1.16: Army Enlisted AItrition for 

the 4-Year Term MinUS the Last 6 Months 

(Enlistees for Fiscal Years 1980 Through 65 - 

1984) w 

56 

So 

4s 

40 

25 

30 

25 

20 

111 

10 

s 

0 

Page 33 GAO/NSIAtbW7BR Attrition and Retention 
Caaparlaon of Attrition Rates of Men and 

Women in the MIlStuy 

Figure I.1 0: Army Eniistod Attrition for 

th8 WOW Tom MIntIS the LW 6 Month8 

(Enlistees for Fiscal Years 1980 Through 

w - 

1985) 00 

w 

w 

I 

40 

s 

30 

20 

P 

1S 

10 

I 

0 

Tab& 1.3: Diffamncor in Twm AtMUon 

MtaaoftnliotodMonmdMmon(Fiscal 

Year Enlistees) Air 

I-vb8r mm 

Mrlno 

&Year Wrm 

Fbo8l war Fore. Navy c0rpS Amy Total Army 

1963 4.9 2.2 9.5 15.1 6.9 0.2 

1964 4.7 2.1 9.1 14.8 5.6 2.6 

1965 a a a a I 2.3 

Note: Men’s rates were subtracted from women’s rates. Therefore, a positive number lndlcates a higher 

women’s rate, while a negative number indioates a higher men’s rate. Also, rates are for separations 

occurring up to 1 week short of the enlistment term. 

Pye 34 GAO/NSIAIbBM7BR Attrltion and Retention 
Csmpmhn of Attrition l&tee of Men and 

Women in the M.Utuy 

Table 1.4: Diffennces in Attrition Ratos of 

Enlisted Men and Women for Enlistment CYewtoml 3-Year term 

Term Minus the Last 6 Months (Fiscal Year Air Marine 

Enlistees) Fiscal year Force Navy Corps Army Total Armv 

1980 8.0 6.8 13.2 14.6 9.6 73 

1981 5.6 0.1 13.6 14.5 6.7 12.2 

1982 4.0 0.6 12.7 12.4 5.0 81 

1983 6.1 3.5 13.2 14.7 7.3 77 

1984 7.2 3.9 14.8 15.3 8.6 79 

1985 a a a a I 66 

aNot applicable 

Note: Men’s rates were subtracted from women’s rates. Therefore, a posltlve number lndlcates a higher 

women’s rate, while a negative number indicates a higher men’s rate. 

Categories of 

Separations 

Enlisted Enlisted personnel can be separated from the military prior to completion of the full enlistment term. Enlistees may voluntarily request to 

leave for reasons such as pregnancy, sole surviving son or daughter, 

accepting public office, and conscientious objection. Enlistees may be 

separated involuntarily for reasons such as defective or fraudulent 

enlistment, entry level performance, unsatisfactory performance, misconduct, and drug or alcohol abuse. 

During the first 6 months of service, men and women enlistees separated 

primarily for inadequate entry level performance. During the last 6 

months of a term, men and women separated primarily for successful 

completions of the enlistment term. Between the first and last 6 months, 

men were separated primarily involuntarily for misconduct, unsatisfactory performance, and/or drugs or alcohol abuse, while women left primarily for pregnancy at their own request. Removing pregnancy 

departures from separation data causes men generally to have a slightly 

higher separation rate than women between the first and last 6 months 

of an enlistment. 

Men’s Separations primarily for We reviewed enlisted separations through the standardized categorizaMisconduct, Women’s for tion of interservice separation codes used by the Defense Manpower 

pm3-J-w Data Center.’ We reviewed separations of enlistees who entered in the 

same fiscal year (for fiscal years 1982,1983, and 1984) at 6-month 

intervals during the enlistment. A detailed listing of the categories used 

for analysis appears in appendix III, table 111.15. 

‘The Defense Manpower Data Center maintains various military personnel databases. It collates .service separation infomwion into StandprdiEed categories called interservice separation codes The 

codes reflect the conditions authorized by service regulations which @vem voluntary and mvoluntary sqarations from military service. 

Page 38 GAO/NSlADWWB~ Attrition and Retention 
Cknnpuhon of Attrition Ratea of Men and 

women in the Muituy 

For the services combined, attrition losses during the first 6 months of 

service for both men and women were primarily for inadequate entry 

level performance. In addition, major separation categories for both men 

and women included disability, fraudulent entry, erroneous enlistment, 

and prior medical conditions. Table I.5 shows the primary separation 

categories for fiscal year 1984. The pattern was similar for fiscal years 

1982 and 1983. 

Each service’s major separation categories for the first 6 months were 

similar to these for each fiscal year, except for fiscal year 1982 entrants 

in the Navy. The Navy’s separations for fiscal year 1982 entrants were 

primarily for unsatisfactory performance, erroneous enlistment, and 

personality or behavior problems for men; for women, the categories 

were personality or behavior problems, disability, and erroneous enlistment. The negligible portion of those Navy separations for entry level 

performance may reflect a different application of separation 

categories. 

T8bl8 I.& Pdmmy cM8god88 of 

Sq~mthDwingPlret6Monthrof 

Smvlw for A8 6wvk8a (Enlistees for 

Fiscal Year 1964) 

CmPY~mEntry level performance 

Disability 

Fraudulent entrv 

PwcwMg8 of uprmtion8 

42.97 

12.67 

10.42 

Erroneous enlistment 10.42 

Prior medical condition 6.66 

Totd 83.18 

Entry level performance 51.02 

Disability 1734 

Erroneous enlistment 7.69 

Prior medical condition 5.15 

Fraudulent entry 

Tot8l 

4.64 

86.84 

For each 6-month period during the remainder of the enlistment term, 

except the last one, men primarily separated involuntarily for misconduct and drugs or alcoholism, while women left primarily at their own 

request due to pregnancy. This pattern held for the 4-year enlistment 

term in the Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps. For both the 3- and 4- 

Page 86 GAO/N&OWRBlt Attrition and Retention 
t311~ of Attrit&~~ Ratea of Men and 

Women in the Milltuy 

year enlistment terms in the Army, the primary separation categories 

for men were unsatisfactory performance and drugs or alcohol abuse. 

Misconduct as used in this analysis included involuntary separation for 

commission of a serious offense, pattern of minor disciplinary infractions, shirking, civilian or military discreditable incidents, absent 

without leave or desertion, and misconduct for reason unknown. Separations involving legal actions, which some may consider misconduct, were 

a separate group in this analysis; that group included civil court convictions, court martials, and separations for the good of the service in lieu 

of a court martial. 

Tables I.6 and I.7 show the proportion of separations for misconduct in 

the Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps, and the proportion of separations for unsatisfactory performance and drugs or alcohol in the Army, 

during g-month periods for enlistees entering the service in fiscal year 

1984. The pattern was similar for entrants during fiscal years 1982 and 

1983 (see appendix III, tables 111.10 and III.1 1, for all fiial years). 

T8fwI.6zMl8wndu888~of 

FOE 

M8rill8 

NW -rpr TOW 

1984 Enlistees4-Year Enlistment) O-6 0.3 0.5 0.1 0.3 

7-12 36.6 18.0 9.9 18.2 

13-18 31.7 27.9 15.8 21.5 

19-24 32.8 29.9 16.7 23.1 

25-30 31.4 30.7 19.4 24.1 

31-36 30.7 31.8 19.9 23.9 

3742 13.2 25.6 19.5 18.9 

4348 1.4 1.7 0.8 1.1 

TOtd 8.6 10.0 4.6 7.1 

%xludes Army 4-year enlistment. 

Page 87 GAO~R Attrition end Retention 
Compulaon of Attrition Ratea of Men and 

Women in the IbUUtuy 

T8bte 1.7: Unrrtidrctory Pm&rm8nce 8nd bug8 or Alcoholkm 88 8 P8rCOntrg8 of Tot81 M8n’r gep8rrtionr in th8 Army During 

6-Month hlt8fV8k of the Efdi8tnWlt form 

Monthr 

bY88r t8rfll 

1s64 

‘A?:h: 

3-Yerr term 

1984 1985 

%!:hs 

Un88ti8f8CtOrY 

Pefformmc8 ‘Ay!:hti 

O-6 0.5 0.1 0.4 0.2 0.5 02 

7-12 - 30.3 6.5 31.8 6.9 21 5 92 

13-18 20.8 20.1 26.4 17.9 190 193 

19.24 

25-30 

15.5 

13.8 

25.5 

25.4 

18.4 

15.2 

26.6 

22.1 

15.5 

14.3 

195 

la4 

31.36 9.6 18.6 0.8 1.3 0.9 16 

37.42 a.3 17.7 a a a 3 

4348 0.5 0.9 a a a 3 

TO&+ 6.7 6.7 

Wet applicable 

‘ITotal available for 4-year enlistment only 

If a woman is pregnant when she enters the service, she can be involuntarily discharged. Subsequent separations for pregnancy are voluntary 

and can occur during the entire enlistment term. 

Table I.8 shows the proportion of separations for pregnancy during the 

6-month intervals reviewed for enlistees entering the service during 

fiial year 1984. The pattern was similar for fiscal years 1982 and 1983 

(see appendix III, table III. 12, for all fiscal years). 

t8bk 1.b: PtWgfb8IbCy 88 8 Pw Of 

Tot8l-'8 -@DwinOb 4-Ye8rtefm 3-Yerr term 

MOMlWfV*OfE~T~ Ah 

(Fiscal Year 1984 Enlistees) Month8 FM NW Ygi AmY Tot81 AmY 

O-6 6.5 2.8 2.0 1.7 3.5 1.2 

7-12 42.8 45.7 52.2 38.3 41.3 38.0 

13-18 35.5 57.0 51.2 43.5 46.6 46.8 

19-24 36.2 51.9 48.9 41.7 43.5 41.9 

25-30 33.5 45.2 47.4 36.3 38.7 42.1 

31-36 37.2 51.4 37.1 34.7 40.3 2.e 

37-42 19.3 47.4 41.7 29.0 26.9 

4346 2.7 3.8 2.6 2.1 2.9 

TOtA 15.6 21.1 16.7 16.1 17.6 a 

%ot applicable 

Page38 GAO/N8uDoo87Bo Attrition and Retention 
Cmwubon of Attdtion Ratea of Men and 

Women in the Military 

The proportion of women’s separations due to pregnancy is greatest 

after the first 6 months and before the last 6 months of the initial term. 

The low proportion of separations due to pregnancy during the first 6 

months of enlistment may be accounted for by the extent of higher 

losses of both men and women during basic training or the first 3 

months of service. The low proportion of pregnancy separations during 

the last 6 months may reflect the impact of early releases and end of 

term separations on the separation categories. This pattern was similar 

for fiscal years 1982 and 1983. 

Women’s voluntary separation for pregnancy is a major contributor to 

the difference in attrition for men and women between the first and last 

6 months of the initial term. Separation categories for men were dominated by involuntary causes. When women’s voluntary separations for 

pregnancy are removed from the data, men generally separated at 

higher rates than women, though the differences were nominal. The 

impact of voluntary discharges for pregnancy on the difference in attrition rates for men and women entering the service for 4 years in fiscal 

year 1984 appears in table I.9 (see appendix III, table X11.13, for all fiscal 

yea.@. 

T8bl8 I.& Differenc88 in Mm’8 8nd 

w’8 &tdth R8t.8 WtthOUt 

mUon for Wom8n 

~!?l~Enlistees--4.Year Enlistment) 

bllth8 

O-6 

7-12 

13-18 

19-24 

25-30 

31-36 

37-42 

43-48 

O-42 

048 

Air M8rine 

FOtW NW cm 

1.7 1.2 4.8 

-0.3 -1.1 -0.4 

-0.7 -2.0 0.2 

-0.8 -1.5 -1.0 

-0.5 -1.1 -1.1 

-0.4 -1.0 -0.4 

-0.5 -1.0 -0.7 

-5.6 -4.8 -15.3 

-1.4 -6.5 1.3 

-7.0 -11.3 -13.9 

Army Tot81 

9.8 3.8 

0.2 -0.5 

-0.9 -1.0 

-1 7 -1.2 

-1.2 -0.9 

-0.7 -0.7 

-0.5 -0.5 

-15.2 -10.2 

5.0 -1.3 

-10.3 -11.4 

Note: Men’s rates were subtracted from women’s rates. Therefore, a positive number Indicates a higher 

women’s rate while a negative number indicates a higher men’s rate. 

Officer Attrition Officers served an initial tour of obligated duty lasting 3,4,5 or 6 years 

during the 1980s. Generally, academy graduates were obligated for 5 

years, pilots and navigators for 6 years, while Reserve Officer Training 

Corps graduates and officer candidate school graduates were obligated 

for either 3 or 4 years. 

P8ge 38 GAO/N8IAD8047RR Attrttion and Retention 
Compubon of AttMioa Rates of Men and 

Women in the MIIltuy 

Women Officers Generally We reviewed Defense Manpower Data Center data on the separation 

Separated at Higher Rates rates of men and women who became officers during fiscal years 1981 

through 1985. We looked at persons separating with up to 3 years of 

service. Some separations during this time frame, however, may be for 

completion of a successful tour of duty. 

Loss rates for officers entering in fiscal years 1981 through 1985 for the 

first 3 years of service generally declined. Men and women entering 

officer ranks in fiscal years 1983 through 1985 separated at less than 10 

percent, except for Army and Marine Corps women entering in fiscal 

year 1983. 

Except for the Navy, women generally had higher loss rates, though the 

differences in separation rates for men and women were less than 2 percentage points for the services combined, and less than 5 percentage 

points for each service except the Marine Corps. Loss rates for men and 

women and the differences are shown in table 1.10. 

Tale 1.10: offku sopomtlon Maa for 

First 2 nWn oi Swvka (Fiscal Years 1961 

Through1965) 

FlaW YOM 

Ak Fore. 1981 1982 1933 1984 1985 

Men 9.1 9.6 7.5 5.3 5.5 

Women 9.4 10.1 7.5 7.3 87 

Differencea 0.3 0.5 0 2.0 3.2 

NW 

Men 11.5 10.3 9.0 7.2 5.9 

Women 8.2 6.9 6.3 6.2 6.4 

Difference' -3.3 -3.4 -2.7 -10 0.5 

Marine corps 

Men 4.8 6.1 4.4 3.7 3.7 

Women 7.9 14.0 16.0 1 3 9.2 

Difference' 3.1 7.9 11.6 -2.4 5.5 

AmY 

Men 11.3 8.6 8.8 4.0 23 

Women 12.3 12.8 11.8 5.5 2.9 

Difference 1.0 4.2 3.0 1.5 06 

Tot81 

Men 10.3 9.1 8.1 5.1 42 

Women 10.2 10.5 9.0 6.3 6 

Differencea -0.1 1.4 0.9 1.2 17 

Wen’s rates w&e subtracted from women’s rates. Therefore, a positive number lndlcates a higher 

women’s rate, while a negative number indicates a higher men’s rate. 

P8gt 40 GAO/NSIMMO-WBlt Attrition and Retentiooll 
Appendix II 

Comparison of Retention Rates of Men and 

Women in the Military 

Retention is the voluntary continuation of service by enlisted personnel 

and officers who successfully complete their initial obligation. Enlisted 

personnel sign contracts for a specified period each time they reenlist. 

Officers have an initial service obligation ranging generally from 3 to 6 

years. Officers who continue in service after that may serve until the 

second time they are considered for, but do not receive, promotion. Military personnel may retire after 20 years of service. 

All personnel who successfully complete their contractual obligation 

may not be allowed to remain in the military. The services evaluate 

enlisted personnel for their eligibility to remain, and only those eligible 

may stay. For officers, evaluation for promotion generally serves as the 

screening process for eligibility to remain in the service. 

Enlisted Retention Retention rates based on how many eligible persons reenlist are only 

part of retention. First, the services screen the men and women completing an enlistment to determine how many are eligible to reenlist, 

There are differences in eligibility rates for men and women as well as 

differences in the reenlistment rates of eligible persons. 

Eligibility Is Part of 

Retention 

The services use similar criteria to evaluate the eligibility of enlisted 

personnel for retention, though there are some service-specific requirements. Generally, individuals must 

. meet professional growth standards requiring progression through the 

pay grades; for example, a person with more than 8 years of service but 

below the grade of E-4 would not be eligible to reenlist; 

l meet medical and physical fitness standards, including ones for weight 

and appearance; and 

. meet standards relating to criminal convictions and incarceration; for 

example, enlistees with court martial convictions are not eligible to 

reenlist. 

However, the services may waive some restrictions. Differences in service policies and procedures for identifying eligibility could also affect 

the eligibility rates of men and women. For example, consideration of 

vacancy needs in selected job categories could affect the number of men 

and women who are determined eligible. For example, major shortages 

in combat rather than support assignments can provide a greater need 

for men than women, because women are prohibited from combat 

assignments. 

Page 41 GAO/NSuDBOU7RR Attrition and Retention 
Appcndlx II 

Compujson of Retention Ratea of Men and 

Women in the Milituy 

For fiscal years 1984 through 1988, we reviewed (1) the rates at which 

men and women were eligible to reenlist, (2) reenlistments as a percentage of those eligible to reenlist, and (3) reenlistments as a percentage of the total number of persons separating with successful term 

completions. We reviewed the eligibility and retention data for three 

groups: persons completing the first enlistment, persons completing a 

second enlistment, and persons completing three or more (career) 

enlistments. 

We determined the rates using data on end of term of service separations, those eligible to reenlist, and those persons who did reenlist. We 

obtained this data from the services through a special request from the 

Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Force Management and 

Personnel. 

We did not review service programs or policies which might contribute 

to differences in retainability and retention in the services. 

Few Cross-Service 

Patterns 

The data showed some similarities across the services. First, men completing their first term generally had higher eligibility rates after fiscal 

year 1984, except in the Army where women had consistently higher 

eligibility. For the services combined, first term eligibility rates were 

higher for women in 1984 and 1985, but subsequently were higher for 

men. Second, reenlistment of women completing a second term was generally lower than for men, as a percentage of both eligible persons and 

total separations. 

Third, while career eligibility rates and reenlistment as a percentage of 

total separations were generally higher for women than men, the reenlistment rate of eligible persons was consistently lower for women, 

except in the Marine Corps. Also, the greatest magnitude of differences 

in rates for men and women usually occurred at the career level. 

Differences Vary for First After 1984 (1985 for the services combined) men generally had higher 

Term eligibility rates than women, except in the Army, where women consistently had higher eligibility rates. Men’s eligibility rates were greater by 

a range of 1.6 percentage points in the Navy to 16.9 points in the Air 

Force. 

P&ge 42 GAO/NSIAD4O47BFt Attrition and Retention 
Comparison of Retention htea of Men and 

Women in the Milituy 

Women had consistently higher retention rates in the services combined, 

the Army, and the Marine Corps as a percentage of eligible persons reenlisting and of total separations. The rates for women were higher by 

.6 to 6.9 percentage points for the services combined, 5.7 to 11.8 points 

for the Army, and 1.5 to 16.4 points for the Marine Corps. The one 

exception was in fiscal year 1986, for the services combined, when the 

retention of men as a percentage of total separations was higher by 1.4 

points. 

Navy women had lower retention, with one exception, and with differences ranging from 3 percentage points to 6.2 points less. In the Air 

Force, women had higher rates some years and men others. 

Lower Retention of 

Women for Second Term 

Differences in eligibility rates for men and women completing their 

second term frequently reversed over the years. However, women generally had lower retention than men as a percentage of both eligible people 

reenlisting and of total separations. The exception was the Marine 

Corps, where differences in men’s and women’s rates were less than in 

the other services and reversed during the years reviewed. The gap in 

rates was generally closing toward 1988, except in the Navy and Marine 

corps. 

Greatest Differences in 

Career Level Rates 

Among those completing three or more enlistments, women’s eligibility 

for reenlistment was higher than men’s by more than 10 percentage 

points, except in the Marine Corps and in fiscal year 1986 in the Air 

Force. Retention of women as a proportion of those eligible to reenlist, 

however, was generally lower than men’s, often by as much as 5 to 10 

percentage points in the Air Force, Army, and the services combined. 

Women’s reenlistment rates as a percentage of total separations generally exceeded men’s by 8 to 19 percentage points. Exceptions were (1) 

the Marine Corps, where men’s rates exceeded women’s in 2 years and 

the higher women’s rate in 1988 was 4.2 percentage points greater, and 

(2) the first 3 years for the Air Force, when women’s rates ranged from 

1.6 to 7.7 percentage points higher. 

Figures II.1 through II.9 present eligibility and reenlistment rates for 

first term, second term and career reenlistments for the services combined. Figures IV.1 through IV.36, in appendix IV, present similar 

graphs for the four services. Tables IV.1 through IV.5 in appendix IV 

present the number and percentages of first, second, and career term 

P8ge 43 GAO/Nt%AMlU37RR Attrition and Retention 
(I4nwuhn of Retention B&UJ of Men and 

Women in the Mitituy 

eligibility and retention, and the percentage point differences in rates 

for men and women. 

Flgum 11.1: Eligibility for Reenlistment for 

the Swvku ComW - First Tom loo hmml 

w 

90 

85 

30 

(0 

w 

w 

43 

40 

w 

w 

33 _,__, 

lU7 l#N 

Pye 44 GAO/lURmR Attrition and Retention 
Comparison of l&tendon Rata of Men and 

Women in the Mllltuy 

Figure 11.2: Roenllstment of Eligible 

Pwaono for the gewlcos Combined - 

First Twm loo hanI 

Y 

90 

w 

30 

7s 

70 

66 

w 

53 ----....., 

so --........................---------* . . ...--1* 

1 

19M 

MYW 

1337 

Page 45 

-MW 

. . . . wormn 

GAO/N8 lADBOJ37BR Attrkion and Retention 
Compulmon of Betention Rata of Men and 

WomenintbeMUituy 

Figun 11.3: RaedlStmWS a18 a 

Pefcontago of Total Soprrrtions for the 

Sorvic~s Combined - First form la0 momI 

w 

w 

w 

(10 

7s 

70 

0 

w 

36 

30 

I 

40 -.... 33 --9.. ---..... ---1.. . . . . . ..-9-i 

W 

33 

l#U 1r 

MYW 

-MUI 

9.9. m 

1Y 13% l#W 

GAO/NEUD-!W8~ Attrition and Retention 
Compui8on of Retention Rates of Men and 

Women In the Mllituy 

Figure Il.4 Ellglbility for Roonlistmont for 

the Sewicu Combilnd - Second Term loo hmau 

W 

90 

w -..., 

W -----....,- -r............------ m 

73 

10 

W 

W 

W 

W 

43 

40 

% 

30 

II 

1m 1m 

RwdYw 

-Wl 

. . . . womn 

Page 47 

13% l(11 

GAO/N-R Attaition and Retention 
- 

Cornpubon of Retention I&tea of Men and 

Women in the Military 

Figun 11.5: Reenlistment of Ellglblo 

Pwsonr for the Services Combinod - 

Second Term 1w knorn( 

W 

W 

W 

10 

(10 

W 

W 

43 

40 

W 

50 

33 

19U 

fbdYw 

P8ge 48 

l#BB la33 lW7 

GAO/NSUD-W¶7RR Attrition and Retention 
Cotnpuimon of Retention Ratea of Men and 

Women in the Milituy 

Figun Il.& Roonliwnantr aa a 

Percontago ot Total Soparationr for the 

Swvlces Combined - Second Term loo hmmd 

W 

W 

W 

W 

7s 

70 

W 

w- . . ..--- 

-...-- 

1.1.- 

W 

---9. 

-----5.................- m...----- 

W 

46 

40 

36 

30 

% 

1Ug 1II 

P8ge 49 GAO/NNAM@WRR Attrition and Retention 

--- 
Compulwn of Retention Rates of Men and 

WomenintheMllltuy 

Figure II.?: Eligibility for Rnnliotmont for 

the Sorvicu combined - Caroor 

1w - 

W 

W 

w 

W 

75 

m 

--.......- --..................---

. . . ..--------

- ‘L 

W 

(0 

I 

W 

48 

10 

% 

W 

1 

Pqe 60 

n% lwo 

GAO/NSUD-BOMRR Attrition and Retention 

-- 
Appendix ll 

Campuison of Retention Rates of Men and 

Women in the Military 

Figure 11.8: Reenlistment of Eligible 

Persons for the Services Combined - 

CHOW loo krom( 

96 

90 ----99.91ggg11g1gg*19-----* ---9191111.ggggg.*9--- .99---- 

C 85 

10 

7s 

70 

65 

so 

56 

so 

4% 

40 

I 

30 

a 

P8ge 51 

1Y 1US lm? 1888 

GAO/NSIAKhWS7BB Attrition and Retention 
Appendix tI 

Compuimm of Retention Rates of Men and 

Women in the Mllltuy 

Figun 11.9: Reenlistments as a 

P8rcent8g8 of Totrl soprr8tions for the 

!3ervicw Combined - Cmoer loo meal4 

96 

So 

Officer Retention Officers first commissioned in the 1980s were generally obligated to 

serve 3,4,5, or 6 years. After completing the initial obligation, officers 

could serve until they resigned or were not promoted after being considered a second time. 

We reviewed officer retention for the services combined and separately, 

except for the Marine Corps. We did not review retention among Marine 

Corps officers separately because the number of women officers was too 

small to provide meaningful information. However, data for the services 

combined include data for Marine Corps officers. 

To determine retention rates, we obtained information from the Defense 

Manpower Data Center on (1) the number of men and women officers as 

of the end of the fiscal year and (2) the number of men and women who 

left the service since October 1 of the fiscal year. We assumed that the 

total number of officers who had completed the same number of years 

of service as of September, plus the number lost during the fiscal year 

with the same number of years of service when they left, would have 

Page 52 GAO/NSlADW-SYB~ Attrition and Retention 
Comparbon of Retention Rates of Men and 

Women in the Military 

been the total number of officers for the fiscal year and years in service 

reviewed. 

We determined retention rates for lengths of service in l-year intervals. 

For example, for fiscal year 1988, we reviewed how many officers with 

from 3 to 21 or more years of service remained in the military for that 

fiscal year. Because of the varying lengths of initial obligated service, 

some of the retention among officers with 3 to 6 years of service 

includes officers who remained to complete their initial commitment. 

Retention rates for those with 20 years or more of service include retirement losses. 

Greatest Differences in 

Rates Appear After 3 and 

After 20 Years of Service 

Retention for both men and women generally increased the longer they 

remained in the military, until the 19th and 20th years in service. The 

greatest differences in retention of men and women generally occurred 

among those who had been in the military for 3 years and for 20 years. 

A secondary point of noticeable rate differences occurred after 4 years, 

For the services combined, men had higher retention after 3 years, by 

7.9 to 9.9 percentage points, and after 4 years by 3.9 to 4.4 percentage 

points. Women, however, had higher retention after 20 years, by a range 

of 3 to 9 percentage points. This aggregation, however, masks withinservice patterns. 

In the Air Force, men had higher retention after 3,4 and 20 years of 

service. Differences ranged from 11 to 13.2 percentage points after 3 

years, 4.2 to 9 percentage points after 4 years, and 11.8 to 27.6 percentage points after 20 years. 

In the Navy, men had higher retention after 3 and 20 years, but not 

consistently after 4 years. After 3 years, men’s retention was 4.5 to 11.2 

percentage points higher then women’s, and after 20 years it was 7.1 to 

19.4 percentage points higher. Unlike the other two services, Navy 

women tended to have higher retention between years 5 and 19 more 

often than men, though the differences were generally nominal. 

In the Army, the greatest differences in retention rates occurred after 3 

years when men’s retention was higher than women’s by 5.5 to 9.4 percentage points. After 4 years of service, men’s rates were higher, but the 

difference generally decreased from a high of 4.7 in 1984 to a low of .7 

in 1988. After 20 years, men had higher retention for 4 of the 5 fiscal 

P8ge 53 GAO/NSIAD3047BR Attrition and Retention 

.-.- 
Appendix II 

Compuleon of Retention Rate8 of Men and 

Women in the Militmy 

years reviewed, with differences ranging from a high of 7.9 in 1986 to 1 

and 1.65 percentage points in fiscal years 1987 and 1988, respectively. 

For officers with 5 to 19 years of service, higher retention varied 

between men and women in each of the services. The differences in rates 

were generally less than 2 percentage points, however, with over half 

less than 1. 

Figures II. 10 through II. 18 show a comparison of officer retention for 

fiscal years 1984 through 1988. The figures show retention after 3 years 

of service and after 20 years of service, when the greatest differences 

occurred in rates for men and women. Figure 11.13 also shows retention 

after 4 years in the Air Force, where the greatest differences occurred 

for that length of service. Tables IV.6 through IV.9 in appendix IV provide the retention rates for men and women and the differences in those 

rates at l-year intervals, for 3 through 21 or more years of service, for 

fiscal years 1984 through 1988. 

Sorvkoa Combhwd (at the End of 3 Years 

of Service) 

Page 64 GAO/-R Attrition and Retention 
Compubon of Retention &tes of Men and 

Women in the Military 

Figure 11.11: Officer Retention for the 

Swvices Combined (at the End of 20 Years 

of Serwce) loo - 

80 

P8ge 55 GAO/NSlAD-WMBR Attrition and Retention 
Compuimon of Betention Ratee of Men and 

Women in the Military 

Figun II. 12: Air Force Officer Retention 

(at the End of 3 Years of Service) 

180 

a0 

a 

m 

w 

5s 

40 

30 

3s 

10 

Page 56 GAO/NSBR Attrition and Retention 
APPC* II 

Cawrison of Retention Rates of Men and 

Women in the Millray 

Figun 11.13: Air Force Officer Retention 

(atthe End of 4 Years of Service) 

100 

90 

a0 

70 

00 

50 

40 

so 

30 

10 

0 

Pap 57 GAO/NSIADHJWRR Attrition and Retention 
Appendix tl 

Compubon of Retention Rateo of Men and 

Women in the Muituy 

Fiqure Ii.1 4: Air Force Off icor Retention 

(atthe End of 20 Years of Service) 

loo - 

so 

w 

70 

00 

w 

4s 

so 

3s 

10 

0 

Page &3 GAO/NSUDg087BR Attrition and Retention 
CWWUhfh of Retention IZates of Men and 

Women in the Mllituy 

Figure 11.15: Navy Officer Rdontion (at 

the End of 3 Years of Service) 100 

90 

a 

m 

00 

so 

40 

so 

30 

10 

Page 59 GAO/NSUWO47RR Attrition md Retention 
Appcndir II 

Contpulnnt of Betention Rdea of Men and 

Women In the Miiituy 

Figun 11.16: Navy Of&or Retention (at 

the End of 20 Years of Service) 

100 

00 

a 

70 

00 

m 

4s 

so 

30 

10 

Pye 60 GAO- Attxitlon and Retentior 
Compdum of pctcntion Rates of Men and 

Women in the lbfilituy 

Fimwa 11.11: Army Officu Rotontion (at 

the End of 3 Years-of Servtce) loo - 

so 

, 

00 

7s 

a 

so 

40 

so 

3s 

10 

Page 61 GAO/NSLUbWMRE Attrition and Retention 
Appendix II 

Comparbon of Retention ~t.ea of Men and 

WomenintbeMlUtuy 

Figure 11.18: Army Officer Rotontion (at 

the End of 20 Years of Servlce) 

loo - 

P8ge 02 GAO/NSIADWWBB Attrition and Retenticb 
Appendix III contains data on attrition for each service and the services 

combined. Tables III.2 through III.9 present the attrition rates and their 

differences for (1) the 3-month interval analysis of attrition patterns 

and (2) attrition rates for the enlistment term minus 1 week and minus 

the last 6 months. Tables III. 1 and III. 14 present the number of nonprior service enlistees and officers to enable calculation of the numerical 

impact of attrition rates or rate differences. 

Tables III. 10 through III. 13 present the separation category data for 

each of the 3 years analyzed, for the categories discussed in appendix I. 

Table III. 16 lists the groupings used in the anaIysis appearing in 

appendix I of the Defense Manpower Data Center’s interservice separation codes. 

P4e 68 GAO-R Attrltton and Retention 
Appendix III 

Attrition DMA 

labh 111.1: Numbor of Men and Women 

Enliatlngin the Swvicoa(FiscalYears 1980 

Through 1985-4-Year EnlistmeW) 

Fircal yeamb mite Mm Women Total 

Air Force 

1980 51,861 13,321 65,162 

1981 59.072 9.935 69.007 

1982 52,389 7,984 60,372 

1983 45.097 7,982 53,075 

1984 46,595 8,132 54,72T 

TOM 2S5.014 47,364 302.36f 

Maw 

19G 

1981 

1982 

59,881 9,919 69,60( 

64,587 9,296 73,68: 

51,643 7.586 59.22 

1983 52,427 7,819 60,24 

-_- 

1984 56,589 7,275 63,W 

Total 281,127 41,695 327,02 

i980 24,931 1,234 26,16 

1981 26,331 1,347 27,67 

1982 23,981 1,509 25,49 

1983 26,504 1.588 26.09 

1984 32,306 1,853 34,15 

TOM l%gB3 7,531 1419 

Arrny(6Wenliatment) 

1960 39,328 8,549 47,67 

1981 35,078 5,641 40.71 

1982 39,412 4,696 44,lC 

1983 40,439 5.311 45,7E 

1984 39,212 5,941 45,lC 

Tot81 lg3.469 30,136 223,6C 

- . 

1980 93,189 13,326 106,5- 

1961 _- 60.075 12.048 72.1: 

1982 571248 91748 6619: 

1983 66,489 10.838 77,3: 

1964 65,825 10,593 76,4 

1985a 57,800 8,430 66,2 

Totd 400.626 64.663 -~ 465,6 

“Fiscal year 1985 applies only to the Army, and only for the 3.year enlistment 

P8ge 64 GAO/NSLUbW87BR Attrition and Retenc 
Table 111.2: Attrition Ratos ior the 

sowice comblnod at 3-Month Intwvals 

for 4-Year Enlistment Tom (Fiscal Years 

Figuresin percent 

1980Through1984) Fiscal year 

Months 1990 1991 1992 1983 1994 

Mon 

3 6.6 7.4 8.0 78 81 

6 3.2 3.2 3.3 3.1 28 

9 1.8 1.6 1.5 12 12 

12 1.8 1.8 1.3 12 1.4 

15 2.0 1.9 1.7 15 16 

18 2.0 1.9 2.0 1.7 18 

21 2.2 2.0 1.9 1.7 19 

24 2.2 1.9 2.0 1.7 1.7 

27 2.0 2.1 1.8 1.8 1.8 

30 1.9 2.0 1.8 1.7 1.6 

33 1.7 2.0 1.6 1.4 1.4 

36 1.8 1.9 1.6 1.5 14 

39 2.0 2.3 2.4 1.6 1.4 

42 2.0 2.0 2.0 14 12 

45 2.0 2.3 2.4 2.2 36 

48 4.4 4.4 11.1 11.9 125 

woman 

3 9.7 9.3 9.4 9.4 11 1 

6 4.8 3.6 3.3 3.4 3.6 

9 2.8 2.5 2.0 19 18 

12 3.0 2.7 2.2 1.8 2.0 

15 3.2 2.8 2.1 2.3 2.2 

18 3.2 2.6 2.2 2.3 25 

21 2.9 2.4 2.2 22 2.1 

24 2.5 2.2 2.2 2.2 2.1 

27 2.2 2.0 2.0 2.2 1.9 

30 2.1 1.8 2.0 1.8 1.9 

33 1.8 1.7 2.1 1.8 16 

36 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.7 18 

39 1.5 2.4 2.4 19 18 

42 1.5 2.0 2.0 17 1.5 

45 1.5 2.4 2.5 2.6 3.9 

48 2.5 4.1 7.2 8.2 --___ 78 

(ccntmued) 

P4eM GAO/NsLADBQs?BB Attrition and Retention 
Appendix III 

Attrition D8ta 

Fiscal year 

Month8 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 

Women minus men’ 

3 3.1 1.9 14 16 30 

6 1.6 0.4 0 0.3 08 

9 1.0 0.9 0.5 0.7 06 

12 1.2 0.9 0.9 0.6 06 

15 1.2 0.9 0.4 08 06 

18 1.2 0.7 0.2 06 07 

21 0.7 0.4 0.3 0.5 02 

24 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.5 04 

27 0.2 -0.1 0.2 04 01 

30 0.2 -0.2 0.2 0.1 03 

33 0.1 -0.3 0.5 0.4 02 

36 -0.2 -0.2 0.2 0.2 04 

39 -0.5 0.1 0 0.3 04 

42 -0.5 0 0 0.3 03 

45 -0.5 0.1 0.1 0.4 03 

48 -1.9 -0.3 -3.9 -37 -4 7 

%&n’s rates were subtracted from women’s rates. Therefore, a positive number lndlcates a higher 

women’s rate, while a negative number indicates a higher men’s rate. 

P*ge 60 GAO/NSUDWWBR Attrition and Retention 
km* m 

Attrition Data 

Tabie 111.3: Air Force Attrition Rates at 3- 

Month Intervala for 4-Year Enliotment 

lefm(FiscalYears 1960Through 1964) 

Figures in percent 

Fircrl year 

Month. 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 

Men 

3 5.2 6.1 6.4 5.3 71 

6 5.2 5.1 5.3 5.3 43 

9 2.0 1.9 1.5 12 10 

12 1.9 1.5 1.2 :.0 09 

15 1.9 1.6 1.3 1.2 11 

16 1.9 1.7 1.5 1.5 1.6 

21 2.1 1.7 1.6 1.4 1.6 

24 2.0 1.7 1.7 1.5 14 

27 1.6 1.7 1.7 1.6 15 

30 1.6 1.6 1.5 1.6 1.4 

33 1.6 1.6 1.4 1.4 1.2 

36 1.4 1.7 1.5 1.5 1.4 

39 1.6 2.5 3.2 1.5 1.3 

42 2.4 2.7 2.7 1.6 13 

45 2.6 2.7 3.9 4.7 76 

46 2.6 3.1 7.1 10.6 77 

3 6.6 6.3 6.1 6.7 9.6 

6 7.4 4.6 4.1 3.4 3.9 

9 2.6 2.7 1.9 1.7 1.5 

12 2.3 2.1 1.7 1.5 15 

15 2.5 2.2 1.4 1.6 15 

16 2.6 2.1 1.9 2.4 2.0 

21 2.1 2.1 1.7 1.9 19 

24 2.2 1.7 1.7 2.4 16 

27 2.0 2.0 1.6 2.1 2.0 io 1.6 1.6 1.9 2.0 16 xi 1.7 1.7 2.5 1.6 17 

36 1.5 1.7 1.6 1.6 17 

39 1.4 3.0 3.1 2.4 17 

42 2.1 2.9 3.1 2.0 19 

45 2.2 3.4 4.0 4.6 G 

46 2.0 3.7 6.3 9.7 6.2 

(continued) 

Pye 67 GAO/NSUD40437BB Attrition and Retention 
Appendix Ill 

Attrition Data 

Fiscal year 

Months 1980 1981 1982 1983 1964 

Women minus men* 

3 3.4 2.2 1.7 14 27 

6 2.2 -0.3 -1.2 -19 -04 

9 0.6 0.6 0.4 0.5 05 

12 0.4 0.6 0.5 0.5 0.6 

15 0.6 0.6 0.1 0.6 04 

16 0.7 0.4 0.4 0.9 02 

21 0 0.4 0.1 0.5 03 

24 0.2 0 0 0.9 02 

27 0.2 0.3 0.1 0.5 0.5 

30 0.2 0 0.4 0.4 04 

33 0.1 -0.1 1.1 0.2 0.5 

36 0.1 0 0.1 0.3 0.3 

39 -0.4 0.5 -0.1 0.9 0.4 

42 -0.3 0.2 0.4 0.4 0.6 

45 -0.4 0.7 0.1 -0.1 -10 

46 -0.6 0.6 -0.6 -1.1 -15 

%en’s rates were subtracted from women’s rates. Therefore, a positive number indicates a higher 

women’s rate, while a negative number indicates a higher men’s rate. 

P8ge 68 GAO/NSUDW37BR AttrIdon and Retention 
Appendix Ill 

Attrition Data 

Table 111.4: Navy Attrition Rater rt 3- 

Month lntewalr for 4-bar Enhtment 

l'own(FiscalYears 196OThrough 1964) 

Figures In percent 

Months 1980 1981 

Fiscal Year 

lsa2 1963 1904 

Men 

3 7.6 7.4 7.6 7.0 76 

6 1.6 1.7 1.4 1.6 14 

9 1.4 1.7 1.4 1.0 12 

12 1.5 1.9 1.5 1.2 14 

15 1.9 2.3 1.9 1.7 19 

16 2.0 2.2 2.1 1.6 1.9 

21 2.4 2.1 2.0 1.6 1.9 

24 2.3 2.2 2.2 1.6 1.7 

27 2.0 2.2 2.0 2.0 1.6 

30 1.6 2.2 2.1 1.6 1.7 

33 1.9 2.1 1.9 1.5 13 

36 1.6 2.1 1.9 1.5 1.3 

39 1.6 2.0 1.9 1.5 1.3 

42 1.9 1.6 1.7 1.2 11 

45 1.7 1.7 1.5 1.1 2.9 

46 5.4 4.9 6.0 6.7 106 

Wmen 

3 10.0 6.4 9.2 9.3 9.1 

6 1.3 1.2 1.0 1.4 1.5 

9 2.1 1.9 1.5 1.3 14 

12 2.6 2.7 1.6 1.7 15 

15 3.1 2.6 2.2 2.0 2.2 

16 3.7 2.7 2.2 1.6 2.2 

21 3.2 2.2 2.2 1.9 2.0 

24 2.6 2.3 1.9 1.6 21 

27 2.4 1.6 2.0 1.9 2.0 

30 2.2 1.5 1.6 1.5 19 

33 1.6 1.7 1.9 1.7 14 

36 1.5 1.6 1.6 1.5 18 

39 1.3 1.7 1.6 1.5 1.4 

42 1.1 1.5 1.3 1.6 1.1 

45 1.0 1.5 1.3 1.5 31 

46 3.7 4.5 5.4 5.0 6.6 

(contmued) 

GAO- Attrldon and Retention 
Appendix In 

AttrWon Data 

Months 1980 

Women minus men’ 

3 2.2 

6 -0.3 

1901 

1.0 

-0.5 

Fiscal Year 

1982 

1.4 

-0.4 

1983 1984 

2.3 13 

-0.2 0.1 

9 0.7 0.2 0.1 0.3 02 

12 1.1 0.6 0.3 0.5 01 

15 1.2 0.3 0.3 0.3 03 

16 1.7 0.5 0.1 0.2 03 

21 0.6 0.1 0.2 0.1 01 

24 0.3 0.1 -0.3 -0.2 0.4 

27 0.4 -0.4 0 -0.1 0.2 

30 0.4 -0.7 -0.3 -0.3 02 

33 -0.1 -0.4 0 0.2 01 

36 -0.3 -0.5 -0.3 0 0.5 

39 -0.5 -0.3 -0.1 0 0.1 

42 -0.6 -0.1 -0.4 0.4 0 

45 -0.7 -0.2 -0.2 0.4 0.2 

46 -1.7 -0.4 -0.6 -1.7 -2.0 

aMan’s rates were subtracted from woman’s rater. therefore. a positive number indicates a higher 

women’s rate, white a negative number indicates a higher men’s rate. 

Page 70 GAO-E Attridon and Retention 
Appendix III 

Attrition Data 

T8bk 111.5: Marine Corpr Attrition fhtes 

rt 3-Month Intervrlr for 4-Year 

Enlirtment Term (Fiscal Years 1960 

Through 1964) 

Figuresin percent 

Months 1980 1981 

Flacal Year 

1962 1983 1984 

Men 

3 

6 

9.1 11.4 13.2 12.6 11.6 

2.6 2.7 2.2 1.5 -----i-i 

9 0.9 0.6 0.5 0.9 1.1 

12 1.2 1.2 0.9 1.2 1.3 

15 1.7 1.6 1.4 1.4 14 

16 1.7 1.5 1.7 1.5 15 

21 1.9 1.6 1.9 1.4 1.6 

24 2.0 1.6 1.6 1.6 1.7 

27 2.1 2.2 1.7 1.6 16 

30 1.7 2.3 1.7 1.7 1.5 

33 1.6 2.2 1.6 1.4 1.5 

36 2.3 2.1 1.5 1.6 1.6 

39 2.4 3.0 2.3 1.6 1.5 

42 2.1 2.2 1.6 1.4 1.3 

45 1.6 1.9 1.4 1.2 1.2 

46 6.1 5.1 21.4 9.0 16.3 

3 12.6 9.9 12.4 12.6 16.6 

6 1.7 2.7 3.2 3.1 2.2 

9 2.3 2.7 0.7 1.2 1.2 

12 4.7 3.3 2.6 1.9 2.7 

15 4.7 3.7 3.7 2.1 3.3 

16 3.6 4.0 2.6 2.5 3.1 

21 3.0 3.3 3.6 3.7 2.3 

24 3.0 3.5 2.9 3.6 2.6 

27 2.4 2.5 2.5 1.9 20 

30 2.3 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.0 

33 2.0 2.0 2.1 2.5 1.3 

36 1.3 2.3 2.2 2.0 2.7 

39 1.7 4.3 3.4 3.0 2.3 

42 1.2 -3.7 2.2 2.0 17 

45 1.4 2.0 1.3 1.2 1.4 

46 2.1 3.0 14.6 5.2 10.4 

(continued) 

Page 71 GAO/NSiAD4OMBB Attrition and Retention 
Appendix Ill 

Attddon Data 

MOMS 1880 

Women minur men’ 

3 3.5 

6 -0.9 

9 1.4 

12 3.5 

15 3.0 

16 2.1 

21 1.1 

24 1.0 

27 0.3 

30 0.6 

33 0.2 

36 -1.0 

39 -0.7 

42 -0.9 

45 -0.4 

46 -4.0 

1981 

-1.5 

0 

1.9 

2.1 

2.1 

2.5 

1.7 

1.7 

0.3 

0 

-0.2 

0.2 

1.3 

1.5 

0.1 

-2.1 

Fiscal year 

1982 

-0.6 

1.0 

0.2 

1.9 

2.3 

0.9 

1.7 

1.1 

0.6 

0.7 

0.5 

0.7 

1.1 

0.6 

-0.1 

-6.6 

1983 1984 

0.2 5c 

1.6 04 

0.3 01 

0.7 14 

0.7 19 

1 .o 16 

2.3 07 

2.0 00 

0.3 02 

0.6 05 

1.1 -0.2 

0.4 1.1 

1.2 0.6 

0.6 0.4 

0 0.2 

-3.6 -5.9 

%len's rates weresubtracted from women's rate&Therefore, a positive number Indicates a higher 

women’s rate, while a negative number indicates a higher men’s rate. 

Page 72 GAO-it Attrition and Retention 
A~pe* m 

Attrition Data 

Table 111.6: Army Attrition Rates at 3- 

Month Intervela for I-Veer Enllmnent 

Tom~(FiscalYears 1960Through 1984) 

Figures in percent 

MOM8 1980 

Men 

3 5.0 

6 3.2 

9 2.7 

12 2.7 

15 2.6 

16 2.2 

21 2.3 

24 2.4 

27 2.3 

30 2.2 

33 2.0 

36 1.9 

39 2.0 

42 1.6 

45 1.6 

46 3.6 

Women 

3 10.5 

6 5.1 

9 4.3 

12 4.2 

15 4.1 

16 3.7 

21 3.6 

24 2.9 

27 2.5 

30 2.2 

33 2.0 

36 1.6 

39 2.2 

42 1.0 

45 1.1 

46 1.6 

Fircal year 

1991 1992 1993 1984 

6.4 74 6.6 7.0 

3.1 3.6 3.6 37 

1.9 1.9 14 16 

2.2 1.9 1.5 17 

2.2 2.2 1.9 2.2 

2.2 2.4 2.1 2.2 

2.1 2.4 1.9 2.1 

2.2 2.0 2.0 2.4 

2.2 2.0 1.6 1.9 

2.0 1.7 1.6 1.7 

1.6 1.6 1.4 17 

1.7 1.5 1.6 1.5 

1.9 1.9 1.7 1.5 

1.6 1.6 1.3 1.3 

2.9 2.4 1.6 2.0 

5.3 16.5 21.5 17.3 

12.5 10.9 12.6 13.3 

5.6 5.6 6.0 6.4 

3.0 3.5 3.3 3.2 

3.6 3.4 2.6 3.0 

3.9 2.6 3.2 2.7 

2.7 2.4 2.9 3.3 

3.1 2.9 2.7 25 

2.6 3.0 2.6 2.6 

2.3 2.4 2.4 1.8 

2.0 2.2 2.0 16 

1.7 1.9 1.9 17 

1.6 2.2 1.9 2.0 

2.0 1.6 1.5 21 

1.0 1.5 1.1 1.4 

2.2 2.2 1.7 1.7 

4.5 6.9 11.6 6.3 

(contmued) 

Page 73 GAO/NSW7RR Attrltlo~ and Retention 
- 

Appendix ill 

Amition Data 

Month8 1900 

Women minus men’ 

3 5.5 

1981 

6.1 

Fiscal year 

1982 

3.5 

1983 1984 

4.2 63 

__- 

6 1.9 2.5 2.0 2.4 27 

9 1.6 1.1 1.6 19 16 

12 1.5 1.6 1.5 1.3 13 

15 1.5 1.7 0.6 13 05 

16 1.5 0.5 0 0.6 11 

21 1.3 1.0 0.5 0.6 0.4 

24 0.5 0.6 1.0 0.6 0.2 

27 0.2 0.1 0.4 0.6 -0.1 

30 0 0 0.5 0.4 01 

33 0 -0.1 0.3 0.5 0 

36 -0.3 -0.1 0.7 0.3 05 

39 0.2 0.1 -0.1 -0.2 0.6 

42 -0.6 -0.6 -0.1 -0.2 0.1 

45 -0.5 -0.7 -0.2 0.1 -0.3 

46 -2.0 -0.6 -7.6 -9.7 -9.0 

%len’s rates were subtracted from women’s rates. Therefore, a poative number indicates a htgher 

women’s rate, while a negative number indiites a higher men’s rate. 

Page 74 GAO/IWADWS7BB Attrition and Retention 
Appendix lU 

Attrition Data 

Tsbie 111.7: Army Attrition Rates at 3- 

Month Intervslr for 3-Yesr Enlistment 

Term (Fiscal Years 1960 Through 1965) 

Figures in percent 

Fiscal year 

Months 1980 1961 1902 1983 1984 1985 

MOft 

3 7.6 7.6 6.1 9.7 6.0 5.4 

6 5.3 4.4 5.6 4.7 44 43 

9 3.5 2.3 2.7 2.1 1.9 2.3 

12 3.5 2.4 1.9 1.5 1.7 2.1 

15 3.5 2.6 2.5 2.3 2.2 2.6 

16 3.1 2.6 2.5 2.4 2.4 2.9 

21 3.0 2.7 2.6 2.2 2.2 - 2.4 

24 2.9 2.5 2.1 2.1 2.2 2.4 

27 2.6 2.0 2.0 2.2 1.9 2.0 

30 2.5 2.1 1.6 1.6 1.8 19 

33 2.7 3.5 2.6 2.6 2.3 2.6 

36 4.6 7.0 5.6 16.2 20.6 163 

3 11.5 14 12.7 13.7 12.7 8.3 

6 6.2 6.4 7.1 7.0 5.5 5.6 

9 4.7 3.6 3.6 2.7 2.6 26 

12 3.9 3.7 2.7 1.9 2.4 2.3 

15 4.0 3.6 2.7 2.6 2.3 2.6 

16 3.7 3.1 2.6 2.7 2.5 3.3 

21 3.5 3.3 2.6 2.3 2.6 2.7 

24 3.4 2.4 2.3 2.1 2.5 2.7 

27 2.2 1.9 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.5 

30 1.9 1.6 1.6 1.3 1.5 1.9 

33 1.7 2.6 2.1 2.3 2.1 2.3 

36 3.1 6.0 5.3 11.0 15.4 12.3 

Page 76 GAO/NtQMMO-67BR Attrition and Retention 

(contmued) 
Months lS80 19111 

Fhcrl year 

1982 1983 lM4 1985 

Women minur man* 

3 3.9 6.2 4.6 4.0 4.7 29 

6 0.9 2.0 1 .5 2.3 11 15 

9 1 .2 1.3 0.9 0.6 0.7 05 

12 0.4 1.3 0.6 0.4 0.7 02 

15 0.5 1.0 0.2 0.5 0.1 n 

16 0.6 0.3 0.1 0.3 0.1 04 

21 0.5 0.6 0 0.1 0.4 03 

24 0.5 -0.1 0.2 0 0.3 03 

27 -0.6 -0.1 0 -0.2 0.1 0.5 

30 -0.6 -0.3 -0.2 -0.3 -0.3 0 

33 -1.0 -0.9 -0.5 -0.3 -0.1 -0.3 

36 -1.7 -1.0 -0.5 -7.2 -5.2 -40 

‘Men’s rates were subtracted from women’s rater. Therefore, a positive numbef indicates a higher 

women’s rate, while a negative number indicates a higher men’s rate. 

Page 76 GAO-E Attrition and Retention 
APW* II-I 

Am&ion Data 

Teble 111.0: Enlisted Attrition Rates for 

Enlistment Term (Fiscal Years 1960 

Through 1985) 

Figures tn percent 

Service 

Fiscal year 

1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 198s 

Total 

Men 37.5 36 5 41.1 36.9 40 5 

Women 45.2 441 445 43.7 46 2 

Women minus met-P 7.7 5.6 3.4 6.9 5.6 - 

38.2 39.3 43.5 43.1 42.6 

Air Force 

Men 

Women 45.0 46.2 46.6 46.0 47 3 

Women mmus men 6.6 6.9 3.3 4.9 4.7 

NW 

Men 39.2 40.3 39.3 35.0 41.4 

Women 43.6 39.6 39.1 37.2 43.5 

Women minus men 4.4 -0.5 -0.2 2.2 2.1 

Women minus men 

Marine Corps 

Men 

Women 

Women minus men 

Army (4-Yew enllatment) 

Men 

Women 

15.2 

41.4 

15.0 

43.6 

12.6 

56.6 

15.1 

41.7 

14.6 

467 

50.2 55.2 62.6 51.2 57.6 

6.6 11.6 6.0 9.5 9.1 

31.5 30.0 30.6 29.4 29.7 

46.7 45.0 43.2 445 44 3 

45.2 42.3 39.9 51.6 51 5 47.4 

Army (3-Yew emtletment) 

Men 

Women 49.6 52.6 47.0 51.6 54 1 49.7 

Women minus men 4.6 10.3 7.1 0.2 2.6 2.3 

aFiscal year 1985 applies only to the Army’s 3-year enlistment term 

bDifferences may not appear exact due to rounding. 

Note: The enlistment term used here is 1 week short of the full 3- or 4-year term In calendar weeks 

P8ge 71 GAO/NSlAD40437BR Attrition and Retention 
Tab40 111.9: Cnlirted Attrition Rator for 

EnHstmont Tom Minus thm L8at 6 

Months (Fiscal Years 1980 Through 1985) 

Figures in percent 

SWViCO 

lot8l 

Men 

Women 

Women minus men 

Fiscal year 

1960 1961 1962 1963 1984 1965’ 

33.2 34.0 32.9 29.3 29.3 

42.8 39.7 37.9 36.6 37.9 

9.6 5.7 5.0 73 A6 

Air P orco 

Men 32.8 33.5 32.5 27.6 27.3 

Women 40.8 39.1 36.5 33.7 .34 5 

Women minus men 8.0 

.s,s -;,. -sll - ..- 

7.2 

N8W 

Men 32.1 33.7 31.8 27.2 27.7 

Women 38.9 33.8 32.4 30.7 31.6 

Women minus men 6.8 0.1 0.6 3.5 3.9 

Women minus men 

Marino Corps 

Men 

Women 

Women minus men 

Army (44m otwstmm) 

Men 

Women 

33.5 36.6 34.0 31.6 31.2 

46.7 

14.6 

50.2 

14.5 

46.7 

12.4 

44.8 

14.7 

46.0 

13.2 

15.3 

13.6 12.7 13.2 14.8 

35.3 33.5 34.1 32.4 32.5 

49.9 a.0 46.5 47.1 47.8 

Army @-War albtmmt) 

Men 

WInen 

37.7 31.8 31 .a 30.8 20.7 28 5 

45.0 44.0 39.9 38.5 36.6 35.1 

Women minus men 7.3 12.2 8.1 7.7 79 6.6 

SFisd year 1985 appks only to tha Army’s Syear enlistment term. 

Pqc 18 GAO/NsuDgo87BB Attrition and Retention 
T&la 111.10: Misconduct 8s a Percontago 

of Total Men’s Saprations During S- Figures in percent 

MO& Intwvrls (Fiscal Years 1982 Through Air Mwino 

1984-4-Year Enlistment) 

Sorvices 

Months Force NW COQS combineda 

19112 

O-6 0.2 0.7 6.0 14 

7-12 21.9 14.5 9.7 12.3 

1318 .- .- 43.1 26.1 22.7 23.5 

19-24 48.0 36.0 28.0 292 

25-30 38.9 35.6 26.2 282 

31-36 30.4 31.3 22.0 24.6 

37-42 _. .- 14.9 31.5 19.6 19.1 

43-46 2.0 3.3 0.9 1.7 

Tot81 12.7 13.5 7.3 9.2 

1983 

O-6 0.3 1.1 0.1 0.4 

7-12 30.1 15.9 12.5 14.5 

13-18 35.8 26.3 20.8 21.5 

19-24 33.8 31.7 22.0 23.6 

25-a -- -- 33.3 31.8 20.6 24.7 

31-36 27.6 30.2 17.5 22.4 

37-42 22.2 28.9 20.5 21.2 

43-48 1.5 2.2 1.0 1.4 

Tetd 10.7 10.9 5.1 7.4 

1984 

O-8 0.3 0.5 0.1 03 

7-12 36.6 18.0 9.9 16.2 

13-18 31.7 27.9 15.8 21.5 

19-24 32.8 29.9 16.7 23.1 

25-30 31.4 30.7 19.4 24 1 

31-36 30.7 31.8 19.9 23.9 

37-42 13.2 25.6 19.5 16.9 

43-48 1.4 1.7 0.8 1.1 

Tot81 9.8 10.0 4.6 7.1 

alnclucks Army 4-year enlistment. 

Pye 79 GAO/N-B Anrition ud Retention 
Table III.1 1: Unsatisfactory Porfornwncr, and Drugs and Akohollsm IS s Porcontago of Total EnliMed MOWS Soporations From 

thoArmy Ourlnp &Month InteMls (Fiscal Years 1982Throuoh 1985') 

Fiaures in oercent 

I-Yorr enlistment 

O-6 

7-12 

13-18 

1.2 0.1 0.4 0.2 0.5 0.1 

45.1 8.2 43.1 6.4 30.3 6.5 

40.2 20.2 36.2 13.3 20.8 20.1 

19-24 38.2 19.7 27.3 18.2 15.5 25.5 

25-30 29.5 18.4 18.0 22.9 13.8 25.4 

31-36 22.1 16.1 12.5 22.3 9.6 18.6 

37-42 17.0 26.0 9.7 22.6 8.3 17.7 

43-48 0.8 1.9 0.4 1.3 0.5 0.9 

Total 11.7 7.0 7.5 s.0 5.7 6.7 

3-Mu mlktnwnt 

O-6 1.2 0.1 0.5 0.2 0.4 0.2 0.5 0.2 

7-12 47.2 6.0 41.7 8.1 31.8 6.9 21.5 9.2 

13-18 42.6 19.9 36.9 15.0 26.4 17.9 19.0 19.3 

19-24 43.1 18.4 29.5 18.2 18.4 26.6 15.5 19.5 

25-30 36.8 15.7 21.3 21.6 15.2 22.1 14.3 184 

31-36 2.3 1.4 1.0 1.8 0.8 1.3 0.9 16 

‘Fiscal year 1985 applies only to the Army for the Byear enlistment term. 

P8ge 80 GAO/lW3UD-W-U7BB Attrition and Retention 

_ 
Appendix III 

Attrition Data 

Table 111.12: Pregnarky a8 a Porcontage 

of Total EnWed Wmen’s 6eparationr Figures rn percent 

Dti 

"p 

6-Month Intwvalr (Fiscal Years 

1982 hrough1984) )-Year term 3-Year tarm 

Air Marine 

Months Force Navy Corps AMY Total Army 

1962 

O-6 7.7 2.2 1.3 2.3 4.1 13 

__-__ 

7.12 37.0 36.9 55.8 36.0 36.0 338 

13-18 36.4 53.7 58.8 52.4 46.5 473 

19-24 41.9 41.9 59.3 45.5 44.6 440 

25-30 38.5 48.0 53.9 35.8 42.0 42.0 

31-36 33.0 43.4 43.8 30.6 36.4 3.0 

37-42 22.9 44.1 43.9 36.9 32.3 

43-46 3.5 4.4 1.9 2.5 3.4 

Total 17.3 29.9 23.6 16.4 19.3 

1963 

O-6 7.6 7.9 0.4 2.2 5.2 0.5 

7-12 36.2 43.8 41.6 35.8 38.9 395 

13-18 45.4 50.8 59.7 43.5 47.3 53.6 

19-24 30.9 46.1 54.4 46.3 44.4 42.5 

25-30 37.1 51.4 49.4 37.1 42.1 41 

31-36 37.2 45.7 50.6 30.1 39.2 27 

37-42 30.1 52.4 37.5 37.7 30.7 

43-40 3.0 4.7 1.8 1.9 3.2 

Totrl 16.9 22.7 21.3 16.5 19.6 

1964 

O-6 6.5 2.8 2.0 1.7 3.5 12 

7-12 42.6 45.7 52.2 36.3 41.3 38.0 

13-18 35.5 57.0 51.2 43.5 45.6 468 

19-24 36.2 51.9 48.9 41.7 43.5 41 9 

25-30 33.5 45.2 47.4 36.3 38.7 42.1 

31-36 37.2 51.4 37.1 34.7 40.3 28 

37-42 19.3 47.4 41.7 29.0 26.9 

4348 2.7 3.8 2.6 2.1 2.9 

Tow 16.6 21.1 16.7 16.1 17.6 

P8gt 81 GAO/NSLUbWWBR Attrition and Retention 
APpcndir JD 

Attrition Data 

TabI0 Ill.13 Dlffwences In Enlisted 

AttrRlon Mea for Men and Women 

Dwlng I-Month Intwvrlr, Lxcludhg 

Women9 Separatlmr for Pregnancy 

(Fiscal Years 1982 Through 19&l--4.Year Enlistment) 

Figure in percent 

Monthr 

1962 

O-6 

7-12 

13-18 

19.24 

25-30 

31-36 

37-42 

Air 

Force 

-0.42 

-0.36 

-0.80 

-1.47 

-0.67 

-0.61 

-1.23 

Navy 

0.85 

-0.88 

-1.96 

-1.68 

-1.77 

-1.73 

-1.76 

Marine 

Corps Army Total 

-010 5.93 1.08 

0.32 0.50 -0.26 

-054 -2.24 -1.51 

-1.02 -0 93 -1.40 

-1 35 -0.53 -1.07 

-0.65 -0.58 -0.96 

-0.95 -1.17 -1.25 

43-46 -2.61 -3.47 -15.44 -12.05 -7.36 

O-42 -5.56 -8.93 -4.29 0.98 -5.39 

O-48 -8.17 -12.04 -19.73 -11.07 -12.75 

1963 

O-8 -1.15 1.27 1.35 6.72 1.32 

7-12 -0.09 -0.35 -0.10 0.96 0.04 

13-18 -0.61 -1.58 -0.63 -0.54 -0.92 

19-24 -0.28 -1.53 -0.19 -1.25 -0.94 

25-30 -0.67 -1.77 -0.71 -0.54 -1.01 

31-36 -0.71 -1.21 -0.94 -0.52 -0.65 

37-42 -0.10 -0.97 -0.67 -1.16 -0.67 

4348 -4.47 -6.07 -17.29 -14.21 -9.69 

O-42 -3.59 -6.14 -1.89 3.67 -3.07 

O-48 -8.08 -12.21 -19.18 -1054 -12.99 

l@M 

O-6 1.65 1.24 4.78 977 3.63 

7-12 -0.26 -1.12 -0.44 0.19 -0.47 

13-18 -0.88 -1.99 0.22 -0 94 -1.03 

19-24 -0.77 -1.49 -0.98 -1 65 -1.24 

25-30 -0.47 -1.14 -1.12 -1.21 -0.93 

31-36 -0.39 -1.02 -0.44 -0.71 -0.71 

37-42 -0.50 -0.95 -0.69 -0.50 -0.50 

43-48 -5.56 -4.79 -15.27 -15.24 -10.16 

o-42 -1.42 -6.47 1.33 4.95 -1.25 

O-48 -7.0 -11.26 -13.94 -10.29 -11.43 

Note: Men’s rates were subtractad from women’s rates. Therefore, a posltlve number lndlcates a higher 

women’s rate, while a negative number indicates a higher men’s rate. 

GAO/NSIAIMINBP Attrition end Retention 
Appendix III 

Attrition Data 

Table 111.14: Number of Officers Entering 

z58nricee (Fiscal Years 1981 Through 6ervICO 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 - 

Air Force 

Men 6.956 7,343 7.685 7,681 7.523 

Women 1,304 1,481 1,423 1,573 1.626 

Total 6,260 6,624 9,199 9,254 9,149 

Navy 

Men 

Women 

Total 

6,527 6,050 6,341 5.185 6,682 

828 756 936 747 843 

7,399 6,606 7,277 5,932 7,525 

M8rine Corps 

Men 

Women 

Total 

1,667 1,965 2,107 1,768 1.587 

89 88 106 76 65 

1,756 2,061 2,213 1,644 1,652 

AMY 

Men 9,093 8,069 8,556 8,971 8.310 

Women 1,452 1,315 1,332 1,603 1,528 

Total 10,646 9,394 9,666 10,574 9,639 

P8ge 88 GAO-R Attrldon and Retention 
Appendix III 

Attrition Data 

Table 111.15: Cetegorization of Oefenee Menpewer Oete Center Intereervico Seperation Ceder 

Label Intereervice eeperation code number and description 

End of term of servrce 01 expiration of term of servrce 

Early release 02 early release, insuffictent retainability 

03 early release to attend school 

04 early release for police duty 

05 early release In the national interest 

06 early release for seasonal employment 

07 early release to teach 

Prior service medrcal 

Disability 

Dependency/ hardship 

Death 

Enter officer programs 

Retirement (nonmedical) 

Personality/ behavior 

Misconduct 

Misconduct (legal action) 

08 early release for other reasons including reductron in force 

10 conditrons existing prior to service 

11 disability, severance pay 

12 permanent disability, retired 

13 temporary disability, retired 

14 disability, not existing prior to service, no severance pay 

15 disability, Title 10 retirement 

16 unqualified for active duty, other 

22 dependency or hardship 

30 death, battle casualty 

31 death, non-battle disease 

32 death, non-battle, other 

33 death, cause not specified 

46 offiier commissioning program 

41 warrant officer program 

42 service academy 

50 20 to 30 years of service 

51 over 30 years of service 

52 other categories 

60 character or behavior disorder 

61 motivational problems 

62 enuresis 

70 unsanitary habits 

65 discreditable incidents, civilian or military 

66 shirking 

75 absent without leave, desertion 

80 misconduct, reason unknown 

83 pattern of minor disciplinary infractions 

84 commission of a serious offense 

71 civil court conviction 

73 court martial 

78 good of the service, in lieu of court martial 

- 

(continued) 

Page 84 GAO/NSlAJMM7RR Attrition md Retention 
Lab.1 

Drugs/alcoholism 

Financial irresponsibility 

Inaptitude 

Fraudulent entry 

Unfit/unsuitable, reason unknown 

Not retainable 

Unsatisfactory performance 

Entry level performance 

Other 6 through 9 

Erroneous enlistment 

Marriage 

Pregnancy 

Parenthood 

Other 9 

Intorsarvke beparation coda number and description 

64 alcoholism 

67 drugs 

68 financial rrresponsibrlity 

63 inaptitude 

74 fraudulent entry 

81 unfitness, reason unknown 

82 unsuitability, reason unknown 

85 failure to meet minimum qualifications for retention 

86 expeditrous discharge/unsatisfactory performance 

87 trainee discharge, entry level performance and conduct 

69 lack of dependent support 

72 security 

76 homosexuality 

77 sexual perversion 

79 juvenile offender 

91 erroneous enlistment or induction 

93 marriage 

94 pregnancy 

97 parenthood 

90 secretarial authority 

92 sole surviving family member 

96 minority 

96 conscientious objector 

98 breach of contract 

99 other 

- 

---- 

-- 

P8gelw GAO/NSIAD-WHBR Attrition and Retention 
Appendix IV 

Retention Data 

Appendix IV contains retention data for enlisted and officer grades. 

Tables IV. 1 through IV.5 provide enlisted eligibility and retention data 

for each service and the services combined for the 5 fiscal years 

reviewed. The tables also include the number of separations and reenlistments used in determining the eligibility and reenlistment rates. 

Figures IV.1 through IV.36 present the graphical analysis of enlisted 

retention for each of the services (appendix II presented the graphs only 

for the services combined). 

Tables IV.6 through IV.9 contain the annual officer retention rates for 

the services combined, and each service except the Marine Corps, for the 

5 fiscal years reviewed. 

GAG/NSLUHM7BR Attrition and Retention 
Appendix IV 

Retention Data 

Table IV.l: Enlisted Retention for the Services Combined (Fiscal Years 1984 Through 1988) 

Eligible as Reenlbtmentr as 

Number 

Fiscal year Total ETS’ eligible percen~%i 

Eligible who Percentage of Precenta e 

reenlist eliaible ofE P S 

Fint term retention 

Men 234,216 149,971 64.0 75,805 50.5 32 4 

Women 34,148 24,652 72.2 13,425 54.5 39 3 

Women minus merP 8.2 3.9 69 

1955 

Men 235,254 160,389 68.2 76,319 47.6 32 4 

Women 32,125 21,984 68.4 11,241 51.1 35.0 

Women minus menb 0.3 3.5 2.6 

lW6 

Men 235,628 165,262 70.1 80,951 49.0 34.4 

Women 33386 21,599 64.7 10.990 50.9 32 9 

Women minus menb -5.4 1.9 -14 

lg67 

Men 233,307 167,895 72.0 81,539 48.6 34 9 

Women 30,279 20,613 68.1 10,772 52.3 35 6 

Women minus mena -3.9 3.7 06 

Men 

Women 

Women minus met-P 

Second term retention 

241,218 170,013 70.5 82,054 48.3 34 0 

32,005 21,856 68.3 11,880 54.4 37 1 

-2.2 6.1 31 

Men 83,614 65,969 78.9 49,623 75 2 59 3 

Women 8,136 6,892 84.7 4,684 68.0 57 6 

__- 

Women minus menb 5.8 -7.3 -1 8 

MS6 

-~ 

Men 82,874 65,670 79.2 48,617 74.0 58 7 

Women 9,447 7,603 80.5 5,048 66.4 53 4 

Women minus men” 1.2 -76 -5 2 

(continued) 

Page 87 GAO/NSUlbBOMBR Attrition and Retention 
Appmdix IV 

Retention Da8 

Number 

Eli@ble aa Reenliatmenta a8 

Fiscal year Total ETS’ NW 

w-nww;; EIi#ble;$ Percenta9e of Precen 

eligible Of 2 : 

1996 

Men 87,308 72,744 83.3 53,524 73.6 61 3 

Women 11,280 8,971 79.5 6,126 68.3 54.3 

Women minus menb -3.8 -5.3 -70 

1997 

Men 80,572 66,102 82.0 49,606 75.0 61 6 

Women 11,486 9,338 81.3 WOO 72.8 59.2 

V&men minus menb -0.7 -2.2 -2.4 

1999 

Men 94,607 79,553 84.1 60,941 76.6 644 

Women 14,306 11,929 82.9 9,024 75.6 62.7 

Women minus me+ -1.2 -1.0 -17 

careorretentlon 

lW4 

Men 

Women 

104,265 75,272 72.2 71,897 95.5 69.0 

3,039 2,879 88.2 2.387 89.1 78.5 

Women minus menb 16.0 -6.4 is 

1999 

Men 100,696 69,927 69.4 66,596 95.2 66.1 

Women 3,686 3,141 85.2 2,771 88.2 75.2 

Women minus menb 15.8 -7.0 9.0 

*men minus menb 14.9 -51 OR 

1997 

Men 101,786 72,642 71.4 69456 95.6 68.2 

Women 4,972 4,378 86.1 3,924 89.6 78.9 

Women minus menb 16.7 -6.0 10.7 

19M 

Men 118,317 84,389 71.3 80,875 95.8 68.4 

Women 7,ooo 8,049 85.4 5,604 92.6 80.1 

Women minus menb 15.1 -3.2 11.7 

YTS refers to end of term of service separations. 

bDifferences may not appear exact due to rounding. 

GAO- Attaitlon and Retention 
&PC* iv 

Retention D8ta 

Table IV.2: Air Form Enlisted Retention (Fiscal Years 1984 Through 1988) 

Number 

Fircrl year TOW EW eltgibk 

Reenlistments as 

EIigibIe who Percentrge of 

reenlist eligible 

Prec$; ; 

P 

First term retention 

19b4 

Men 

Women 

Women minus me+ 

54,767 32,372 59.1 20,240 62.5 370 

11,472 7,617 66.4 4,513 592 39.3 

7.3 -3.3 2.4 

198s 

Men 67,891 40,976 60.4 22,265 54.3 32.6 

Women 11,707 6,681 57.1 3,449 51.6 29.5 

Women minus menb -3.3 -2.7 -3.3 

1gM 

Men 53,874 34,975 64.9 20,414 58.4 37.9 

Warnen 11.718 5.624 48.0 3.058 54.4 26.1 

Women minus menb -16.9 -4.0 -11.8 

1987 

Men 53,364 34,592 64.8 22,411 64.8 42.0 

Women 9,766 5,253 53.8 3,289 62.6 33.7 

Women minus menb -11 .o -2.2 -6.3 

lM8 

Men 62,336 42,193 67.7 22,956 544 36.0 

Women 10,937 6,373 58.3 3,622 56.0 33.1 

Women minus menb -9.4 2.4 -37 

Second term retention 

1W 

Men 15,163 11,864 78.2 9,799 82.6 64.6 

Women 2,952 2,409 81.6 1,565 65.0 53.0 

Women minus menb 3.4 -17.6 -11 6 

1WS 

Men 18,664 13,742 73.6 11,122 80.9 59.6 

Women 3,689 2,715 73.6 1,730 63.7 46.9 

Women minus menb 0 -172 -12.7 

(continued) 

P4e 89 
Eligible 80 Reenliatmeitt8 as 

Number 

wrcenugE! 

EIigib&lopt Percentege of Precenta f 

Fiscal year Total ETS ellglbh eligible ofE P S 

1999 

Men 19,531 16,219 83.0 12,926 79.7 662 

Women 4,638 3299 71.1 2,186 66.3 47 * 

Women minus menb -11.9 -13.4 -19. 

191)7 

Men 20,706 17,091 82.5 13,687 80.1 66. 

Women 4,690 3,846 82.0 2,773 72.1 59 . 

Women minus menb -0.5 -0.0 -7 

1999 

Men 28,311 23,963 84.6 19,125 79.8 67 C 

Women 5,679 4,667 82.2 3,466 74.3 61 ,: 

Women minus menb -2.5 -5.5 -6: 

calwrretentiofl 

1984 

Men 30,459 26,936 70.0 25,059 96.0 67 2 

Women 1,116 963 86.3 813 84.4 72E 

Women minus menb 16.3 -11.6 5E 

1996 

Men 36,066 23,207 62.9 22,419 96.6 6oE 

Women 1.400 1,202 80.8 1,019 04.0 68.5 

Women mmus menb 17.8 -11.6 7- 

19M 

Men 34,410 23,321 67.8 22,565 96.0 65 t 

Women 1.874 1,427 76.1 1,258 88.2 67 

Women minus menb 8.4 -8.6 li 

1997 

Men 35,08cl 24,064 68.6 23,462 97.5 66: 

Women 1,976 1,692 85.6 1,552 91.7 78E 

Women minus menb 17.0 -5.8 11 ; 

19g9 

MWl 40,740 27,554 67.6 26.050 97.5 65 

Women 2,765 2,306 83.4 2,144 93.0 77 

Women minus menb 15.8 4.5 11 

YTS refers tosnd of term of service separations. 

bDifferences may not appear exact due to rounding. 

Pye 90 GAO/NSUD-@O-E7Bit Attrition and Retentio 
APPC* N 

Eet4mtion D8t8 

Table IV.3: Navy EnWed Retention (Fiscal Years 1964 Through 1966) 

EiQibIe a8 Reenlistments as 

Number 

Fiscal year Total ETS. eligible m-nty$ Eliglb&;pt Percentaged 

dbm 

Prece$ J 

P 

Firrt term retention 

1994 

Men 64.220 40,040 62.3 23,365 56.4 36.4 

Women 8,016 5,664 66.7 3,246 55.2 36.0 

Women minus menb 4.4 -3.2 0.4 

1995 

Men 60,695 40,935 67.4 22,507 55.0 37.1 

Women 0,796 5,653 64.3 2,930 52.0 33.4 

Women minus menb -3.2 -3.0 -3.7 

1999 

Men 60,933 39,300 64.5 23,154 50.9 30.0 

Women 9,330 5,724 61.3 3,014 52.7 32.3 

Women minus menb -3.2 -6.2 -5.7 

1907 

Men 60,746 39,530 65.1 22,001 55.7 36.2 

Women 0,472 5,375 63.4 2,766 51.9 ?2.9 

Women minus menb -1.6 -3.8 -3.3 

1999 

Men 

Women 

Women minus menb 

Second term retention 

66,269 42,915 64.0 23,499 54.8 35.5 

8,516 5,273 61.9 2,596 49.3 30.5 

-2.0 -5.5 -5.0 

1994 

Men 23,303 18,939 81.3 12,239 64.6 52.5 

Women 1,135 913 60.4 545 59.7 40.0 

Women minus menb 

1989 

-0.8 -4.9 -4.5 

Men 23,471 19,176 81.7 12,344 64.4 52.6 

Women 1,358 1,076 79.2 592 55.0 43.6 

Women minus menb -2.5 -9.4 -9.0 

(continued) 

P4eSl GAO/N- Attrition and Retention 
Appendix N 

Retention Dat8 

~scgl year 

Men 

Women 

Women minus menb 

1987 

Men 

Women 

Women minus menb 

1988 

Men 

Women 

Women minus menb 

Career retention 

Total ETS’ 

25,559 

1.799 

25,950 

2,075 

27,609 

2,692 

EligibIe aa Reenlistments as 

Number 

eligible --gili 

Eliglb&lett Percontogo of 

eligible 

Precy; ; 

P 

21,329 83.5 13,739 64.4 53.6 

1,431 79.5 642 58.6 46.6 

-3.9 -5.6 -70 

22,156 05.4 13,657 61.6 52.6 

1,703 82.1 957 56.2 46.1 

-3.3 -54 -6.5 

23,366 64.6 14,447 61.8 52.3 

2,209 82.1 1,175 53.2 43.6 

-2.6 -0.6 -6.7 

lgg4 

Men 27,566 20,143 73.1 19,126 95.0 69 4 

Women 1,015 909 69.6 053 93.0 040 

Women minus menb 16.5 -1.1 14.7 

1985 

Men 27,366 20,160 73.6 18,653 93.5 60.0 

Women 1,125 995 68.4 903 90.8 80.3 

Women minus menb 14.8 -2.8 11.4 

1986 

Men 20,503 20,561 71.9 19,255 93.6 67 4 

Women 1,372 1,281 93.4 1,160 92.1 06.0 

Women minus men” 21.4 -1.5 10.6 

1967 

Men 29,164 21,453 73.6 19,653 92.5 66.1 

Women 1,660 1,533 92.3 1,392 90.8 83.9 

Women minus menb 18.8 -1.7 15.8 

lg8S 

Men 30,764 22,026 71.6 20,307 92.2 66.0 

Women 2,067 1,651 68.7 1,651 89.2 79.? 

Women minus menb 17.1 -3.0 13 . 

aETS refers to end of term of service separations. 

bDifferences may not appear exact due to rounding 

Page 92 
Appendix N 

Retention D8ta 

Tsbk Iv.1: Merlne Corps EnHsted Retention (Fiscal Years 1984 fhrowh 1988) 

Fiscal yeor Totol ETS’ 

Eligible OS Reenlistmen as 

Number 

eligible 

percentego& EligibhB;g Percent8.g~ of 

ehglble 

Prece$; g 

Q ~- 

First term retention 

19M 

Men 42,705 20,742 48.6 6,010 38.6 188 

Women 2.558 1.205 50.2 700 545 27 4 

Women minus menb 

- 

1.7 15.9 8.6 

191)s 

Men 37,006 19,975 54.0 7,065 35.5 19.1 

Women 2,266 1,093 46.2 556 50.9 24.5 

Women minus menb -5.7 15.4 5.4 

1gM 

Men 39,514 10,094 45.8 8,197 45.3 207 

Women 2,569 1,082 42.1 632 58.4 246 

Women minus menb -3.7 13.1 3.9 

1907 

Men 34,334 18,815 54.8 6,376 33.9 186 

Women 2.053 931 45.3 468 50.3 22.8 

Women minus menb -9.5 16.4 4.2 

Men 

2,150 890 41.4 344 36.7 16.0 

-15.0 12.9 15 

Women 

Women minus menb 

!%ecmfl term retention 

1964 

Men 11,751 7,281 62.0 5,602 76.9 47.7 

Women 456 321 70.1 238 74.1 52.0 

Women minus menb 8.1 -2.0 4.3 

lW5 

MWl 8,663 5,069 67.7 4,403 75.0 508 

Women 509 367 72.1 274 74.7 53.8 

Wmen minus menb 4.4 -0.4 3.0 

(conbnued) 

Page 93 GAO/NSUBW37RR Attrition and Retention 
Eligible OS Reenlistments 08 

Number 

percenTit 

Eligibk;tt Percentege of Precen 

Fiscal yeor Total ETS’ eligfbk eligible ofE T S 

1988 

Men 10,066 6,910 66.5 4,815 69.7 47 7 

Women 732 499 68.2 376 75 4 51 4 

Women minus men” -0.3 5.7 36 

1987 

Men 8,515 6,132 72.0 4,207 68.6 49 4 

Women 674 461 71.4 335 69.6 49 7 

Women minus menb -0.6 1.0 02 

1988 

Men 9,411 6,027 72.5 4,400 64.4 46 E 

Women 745 509 66.3 337 66.2 45 i 

Women minus menb 

Coreer retention 

-4.2 1.8 -1 5 

1984 

Men 6,464 4,556 70.5 4,396 96.5 68.0 

Women 66 56 04.0 54 96.4 81 8 

Women minus menb 14.3 -0.1 13.8 

198s 

Men 6,247 4.436 71 .o 4,169 94.4 67 1 

Women 81 60 74.1 50 83.3 61.7 

Women minus menb 3.1 -11.1 -5.3 

1988 

Men 7,413 5,105 60.9 4.631 94.6 652 

Women 125 97 77.6 93 95 9 74.4 

Women minus menb 8.7 12 9.2 

1987 

Men 7,750 5,603 72.3 5,196 92.8 67 1 

Women 166 129 76.0 22 17 1 13 1 

Women minus menb 4.5 -75 7 -54.C 

1988 

Men 7,972 5,616 70.4 5,111 91 0 64’ 

Women 200 156 76.0 142 89 9 68: 

Women minus menb 5.5 

BETS refers to end of term of service separations. 

-1 1 4‘ 

bDifferences may not appear exact due to rounding. 

P8ge 94 GAO/NS~lt Attrition and &tenth I 
bpe* N 

Retention Data 

T&IO IV& Army Enlisted Retention (Fiscal Years 1964 Throuqh 1986) 

Fiscal yeor 

First term retention 

1964 

Men 

Women 

Total ETS 

72,524 

11,302 

Eligible OS Reenllstmentr OS 

Number 

eligibk percen~lt 

EIigib$;g Percentage of Precenta 

eligible ofE !@ S

56,817 70.3 24,170 42.5 33.3 

9,066 07.3 4,966 50.3 43.9 

Women minus menb 9.0 7.8 10.6 

1965 

Men 69,662 58,503 84.0 24,462 41.8 35.1 

Women 9,356 8,557 91.5 4,296 50.2 45.9 

Women minus men” 7.5 8.4 10.8 

1g-M 

Men 81,307 72,865 89.6 29,166 40.0 35.9 

9,761 9,169 

Women minus menb 4.3 6.7 8.0 

1987 

Men 64,661 74,950 86.3 30,751 41.0 36.2 

Women 9,900 9,054 90.6 4,227 46.7 423 

Women minus met+ 2.3 5.7 6.1 

1gM 

Men 77,763 65,246 03.9 30,541 46.8 39.3 

Women 10.402 9,320 69.6 5,316 57.0 51.1 

Women minus menb 5.7 10.2 11.8 

lgg4 

Men 33,397 27,665 83.5 21,963 78.8 65.8 

Women 3,591 3,249 90.5 2336 71.9 65.1 

Women minus menb 7.0 -6.9 -0.8 

MS 

Men 32,076 26,863 83.0 20,746 77.2 64.7 

Women 3,891 3,445 66.5 2,452 71.2 63.0 

Women minus menb 4.7 -6.0 -17 

(continued) 

Page 95 
Eligible as Reenlirtmentr as 

Number Eligible who Percentage of Precenta E 

Fiscal year Total ETS’ eligible -nugi+i feenlid eligible ofE oc _ 

1986 

Men 32,132 28,286 88.0 22,042 77 9 6ac 

Women 4,111 3,742 91 .o 2,722 72.7 66 - 

Women minus menD 3.0 -5.2 -2 : 

1967 

Men 25,401 20,721 81.6 18,055 87 1 71 

Women 4,047 3,308 81.7 2,735 82.7 6. 

Women minus menb 0.2 -45 -j 

1966 

Men 29,276 25,397 86.8 22.989 90.4 78 

Women 5,270 4,544 86.2 4,046 89.0 76 

Women minus menb -0.5 -1.4 -1 

Career retention 

1994 

Men 31,774 23,635 74.4 22,514 95.3 70 ’ 

Women 842 751 89.2 667 88.8 79 : 

Women minus menb 14.8 -6.4 a.* 

1966 

Men 30,197 

Women 

Women minus menb 

-. 22,124 73.3 21,135 95.5 70 

9-- I92 884 89.1 799 904 Fm -- 

15.8 -5.1 10 

1996 

Men 29,957 21,638 72.2 20,628 95.3 66 

Women 1,109 1,015 91.5 912 89.9 82 

Women minus menb 19.3 -5.5 13 

1967 

Men 29,792 21,522 72.2 20,943 97.3 70 

Women 1,168 1,024 87.7 968 93.6 82 

Women minus menb 15.4 -3.8 11 

(continuec 

GAO/N6UD-9O47BR Attrition and Retentif 
Reenllrtments as 

NUIItbW 

Flsd yeer Total Insa 

Eligfbiewho Porcomge of Precen 

menlist ellgwe OfS z?@ 

lN8 

Men 38,821 29,191 75.2 28,599 98.0 73.7 

Vhmen 1,940 1,734 89.4 1,667 96.1 85.9 

VWrh3n minus menb 14.2 -1.8 12.3 

‘ETS refers to end of term of service separations. 

%Mbmces may not appm exact due to rounding. 

GAO- Attrition and Retention 
Figun IV.l: Air Force Ellglbility for 

Fbonlimt - Ant Tom loo hmau 

a 

a 

a 

80 

7s 

70 

GAO- Attrition and Retention 
m IV.2: Air Force Remllotment of 

Ellglble Persons - First Term 

lab hEma 

a6 

m 

a 

10 

7s 

m 

lU8 

GAO- Attrition ad Retention 
Fig&w@ IV.% Air Foru Romflatnwnt, 8a a 

PeKmmgeofTot8lsywr8tlona-Fh8f 

TOilPI loo - 

111 

a0 

a 

m 

n 

m 

66 

0 

m 

w 

Y 

m law lwa lff lam 

UYW 

-MUl 

mm*- vyonrcl 

rage 100 GAO- Atttttlon and Retention 
Flguro IV.4: Air Force EllgWHty for 

Roonlbtmont - Socond Term 

loo WmalI 

a 

90 

a 

I” **-- *-- . . ..*-1 

10 /’ 

n *d- ** 

70 

. ...*......**- 

a 

60 

a 

w 

46 

40 

Y 

130 

II 

lw8 lU7 

P8#e 101 GAO/N8uD8087BB Attrition end Retention 
Appandix IV 

Retention Data 

Figure 1V.S: Air Force Reenlistment of 

Eiiglble Persons - Second Term 

“I- . . . ,, . ,, I,, .., ,,, ,, ,,-. -..,- - .-,.- 

l#U law lam 19.7 1m 

naadYw 

-ti 

mm.. m 

Page 102 GAO/N6lADNWRR Attrition and Retention 
Flgum IV& Air Force ReenlIstmenta 88 a 

Percentage of Total Sepamtions - 

Second Term loo hmaN 

a 

so 

a 

m 

7s 

70 

._ 

HI lW7 

Page loa GAODMUBWWRR Attrition and Retention 
APpc* N 

Retention Data 

Figure IV.7: Air Force Eligibility for 

Reonllstment - Career 

loo maIll 

a6 

So 

a --mm. --mm. 

w 

--mm. ---mm 

**-- 

--mm. 

3 ~...***----- 

a0 

a 

m 

w 

10 

1 

so 

a8 - ., - . ., ., ._ 

1m 1011 l#N 

WYW 

Page 104 GAO/NRUDW-S7RR Attrition and Retentior 
F&we IV.): Air Force Reeniimnent of 

Ellglble Pemons - Camr 

loo - 

a -_ 

80 ******-- . . ..**.*.***m**....... 

a ....**...mmmmm****** ***m*- 

a 

'111 

m 

a 

at 

a 

m 

48 

4s 

m 

30 

II 

_... " _, 

la m m 

WYW 

-MNl 

.*.m m 

Pt#t105 GAO/N8uD9087B1 Attrition and Retention 
&PC* N 

Uetention D8ta 

Flgum iV.0: Air Force Reenllrtmants aa a 

Percentaga of Total Sepamtlonr - Career 

loo wmull 

a 

so 

a 

10 *.........m... 

75 

70 

a6 'L 

so 

Ptgt 106 

I, 

lam lU7 1oI 

GAO/NSUD-WMBR Attrition and Retention 
AQpCndiX N 

Retention Data 

Flgum IV.10: Navy Eiigibiilty for 

Reenlirtment - Fimt Term loo hmult 

% 

9s 

a 

m 

n 

P&gel07 GAO/NSIAD9087Bp Attrition and Retention 

lU8 
hw’=* N 

Betmdon D8ta 

Flgum IV.1 1: Navy Reenllattwnt of 

Ellglble Pemons - Fimt Term 

loo - 

a 

so 

a 

m 

7s 

m 

s6 

Y 

40 

¶s 

3) 

1 

Ptgt 108 GAO/N8uD8087Bp Attridon and Retendon 

1111 lllo lU7 lw) 
AQW* N 

Retention Data 

Figun IV.12 Navy Reenllstmonts as a 

Percentage of Tots1 Sepsrstlons - First 

TOfIll loo Pomaa 

96 

so 

a 

so 

7s 

70 

65 

68 

a 

m 

4s 

Ptgt 109 GAO/NSIMMO47BR Attrition and Retention 
~- 

Figun IV.13 Navy EligMty for 

Reenlistment - Second Term 

1Qo hIwIll 

a 

so 

86 ..***...*..m**; 8s --- ----...**.*....*..**...**---- ***.*--- 

7s 

7s 

as 

a 

5s 

m 

4s 

48 

a 

SD 

as 

Pya 110 GAO/NSlAD4047RR Attrldon and Retention 

18.7 lU@ 
Appendix N 

Retention Data 

Figun IV.lI: Navy Reenlirtmont of 

Qlble Pwaonr - Second Term whreent 

a5 

a0 

75 

70 

65 

-,. 

60 --*** ---1. **I--- 

6s *****.*--* *---------****..***** 

----y  

68 

45 

48 

38 

30 

28 

28 

19#6 

Pap 111 

l#U 1887 ls0 

GAO/NSL4IWJWBB Attrition and Retention 
Figure IV.lSi Navy h.nIbtnnnt, 88 8 

Peroent8ge of Toa sepe~ons - SeoondTefm 600 

aa 

00 

7s 

70 

65 

66 

56 

so --** * 45 --*** -********--- *****---------*********** ---****** 

49 

111 

sa 

II 

P 

18 .I .- 

Page 111 

1SU lN7 

GAO- Attrition and Retention 
Am=* N 

Retention Data 

Figwo IV.lb: Navy Eligibility for 

Reenliatmwll - CIrow loo hmd 

m 

a@ **************.---- **-- *****-*************** ---** ---*I** 

a6 

a 

76 I 

70 

l#B4 lU# 1rW 

Mwu 

-MUl 

**I* waln.fl 

101 1SW 

Page 118 GAO/N8uDBo%7Bo Attrition and Retention 

- .- 
Appmdlx N 

l&tention Data 

Figure IV.1 7: Navy Reenllatment of 

Ellglble Persons - Career 

160 mmala 

96 -__, 

-0h-*9*** 

So 

*.***********-------------------*************~ 

1W 1r 

WYW 

-WI 

***I mpmn 

P4e 114 GAO/lWADMM7BB Attrition and Retention 

la@ 101 l(o 
Appcndlx N 

Retention Da?a 

FIgwe IV.18: Navy Roenllrtnnntr as a 

Percentage of Total Sop8ntions - Career 1oo - 

66 

60 

ln7 lS8@ 

P8ge 116 GAO/NSuDgo87BB Attrition and Retention 
Appc*w 

Retention Data 

Figure IV.19: Marine Corps Eligibility for 

Rnnliatment - Flnt Term 

loo - 

66 

aa 

n 

a0 

m 

‘70 

Y 

8 

-------- 

Y 

m 

31 -.--- - .-- ., 

l#U m m lU7 10 

MYW 

-Urn 

I*** warm 

P8ge 116 GAO/NSUMO47BR Attrttion and Retentiw 
API=* N 

Retention D8ta 

Figure IV.20: Marine Corps Reenllrtment 

of EIIgiMe Persona - Firat Term 

loo - 

I 

90 

86 

(10 

7s 

76 

66 

a 

I -***I **-- go-- *----** 

------------- 

--** 

m 

---0.. 

--*r46 --0 -0 -0 M -0 

n 

30 

a .-_,., -- -,_,.-., .,- 

31 -0 

,. _,-.._., - .-.. ., ,, .,, ,., 

19M m 1m 

rnYw 

-MUl 

***I man 

101 l#N 

P4e 117 GAO/N~7BR Attrition and Retention 
Figure IV.21: Mmine Corps 

RemWbnonta as a Pwcentago of Total 

Sepamtlonr - Flat Term a00 

45 

55 

10 _ ..,__-,,. . . . . -,.-.__.- _..-._ . 

1r m lW7 

Page 118 GAO/N&O5047Blt Attrition and Retention 
APW* N 

Retention Data 

Figure IV.22: Marine Corps Eligibility for 

Reenlistment - Second Term 

loo hIma 

% 

90 

55 

0 

75 

7. **********------0 -----am*- _.- -- ----------********** 

55 

56 ~~ 

55 

50 

da 

40 

m 

50 

m 

1596 1Y 

MYW 

-Urn 

  m 

P8ge 119 

111) lU7 

GAO/N8uD8087Bp Attrition and Retention 
Appc-XN 

Dctcntlon Data 

Figw IV.23 Marine Corps Remllatmont 

of Eliglbk Perma - Second Tmn 

loo - 

w 

so 

56 

50 

75 ** ******----- -r********---* ---0. 

m 

---0. ----*** 

m 

----rrr**, 

50 

55 

50 

45 

40 

m 

30 

25 

P4a 120 GAO-R Attrition and Retention 
Flgure IV.24i Mwlne Corps 

ReonWmenta 18 l Percentqe of Total 

SepwUons - Second Term loo koaa 

w 

60 

85 

# 

75 

70 

65 

50 

40 

m 

50 

?I 

Pyc 121 

m l(11 lU8 

GAO- Armtloa and Ihetention 
m IV.= Mwlno Corps EIQibiHty tar 

RW-CUOU 

loo - 

55 

50 

55 -0. 

a -0, --0, 

m --.. --- ** **---------********************* 

70 

55 

a 

55 

m 

45 

40 

55 

50 

m - -,,.. . 

_. 

l@M ,555 m 

WYW 

-Urn 

***I mDnrn 

Page 122 

1#8T l555 

GAO- Attrltlon and Retentior 

.- 
Appendix N 

Retention D8b 

Figure IV.26: Marine Corps ReenliMment 

of Eligible Person8 - Career 

100 

--0 

. .Y _ _.- 

a --** *a- l 

--0. 

-***- *a-- *- * 

l 

l 

a l 

70 

w 

a 

40 

10 

20 

10 

0 

P4e 12s GAO/NSIAD&M7Bil Attrition and Retention 

1SW l#N lU7 
Flgure IV.27: Marine Corp5 

Reonlhtmenta aa l Percentago of Total 

Sepwtbno - hoer loo u 

10 

0 

_. ._.., . ., .-, 

l556 me m lU? 

WYW 

-MNl 

***II wemo 

1SDf 

P4e 124 GAO/TWADW27BP Attrition and Itetentiol 
APL=* N 

Retention Data 

Figure IV.28: Army Eligibility for 

Reenlistment - Flrat Term 

loo hmaa 

75 

70 

65 

W 

65 

W 

45 

40 

m 

30 

a5 

Page 125 

19.S 

******--------****** 

--*** -1********..* 

\ 

1W 111 l#I) 

GAO/NSlAlWM7BB Attrition and Retention 

-.. 
~- 

Appendix lv 

Retention Data 

Figure IV.29: Army Roonllstmont of 

Eligibk Porsonr - First Tom 

a6 

66 

1 ---. 

P8ge 126 GAO/N~R Attrition and Retention 
Figure IV.30: Army Reonlistmontr as a 

Porcontrgo of Total gqmMions - Fht 

Tornl loo - 

w 

so 

w 

60 

7s 

‘20 

66 

w 

66 

Page 127 GAO-R Attrition and Retention 
FigwIv31:Amly EUOibimyfor 

Roanllatnlant - sooond Tom 

loo hmom 

66 

Pye 128 

lu6 101 

GAO-R Attrldon and Retention 
Appendix N 

Retention Data 

Figun IV.32: Army Reenlistment of 

EIlglble Persons - gecond Term loo hmaN 

% 

60 

% 

so 

46 

40 

Y 

20 

26 

Pa#e 129 GAO/NSlAD9@67RR Attrltlon and Retention 
GAO-R Attrition and Retention 
Appe* IV 

Retention Data 

76 

m 

65 

60 

8 

50 

46 

40 

% 

% 

% 

lam 1W lU8 

Page la1 GAO/Nt3IAlMW~R Attrition and Retention 
Appendix N 

Retention D8t.a 

Pyc 182 GAO-R Attrition and Retention 
API=* N 

Retention D8ta 

Figure IV.36: Army Reenlistments as a 

Percentage of Total geparatlons - Career 

1Qo hmau 

% 

% 

75 

m 

% 

60 

% 

90 

46 

40 

311 

a 

25 

Page lsa GAO/lUt3lAD~7SR Attrition and Retention 
Table IV.6: Officer Retention Ratoa for 

the Sorvkoe Combined (Fiscal Years 1984 

Through 1986) 

Figures in percent 

zzi:" 

Fiscal year 

1664 1965 1666 1667 1666 

Men 

3 90.88 90.50 91.22 90.48 90.21 

4 88.30 88.30 89.01 86.56 88.10 

5 91.26 90.85 90.98 90.31 90 __. 70 _ 

6 91.60 90.87 90.75 90.72 90.95 

7 92.68 91.43 91.09 89.68 89.79 

8 94.14 92.71 93.09 92.50 91.89 

9 95.86 94.88 94.65 94.37 94.18 

10 95.88 95.51 95.02 94.71 93.75 

11 95.64 94.66 93.92 91.28 90.97 

12 95.45 94.35 95.49 95.24 96.00 

13 97.40 97.40 97.79 97.40 97.15 

14 97.92 98.15 98.21 97.69 97.74 

15 96.31 98.15 98.30 96.15 98.26 

16 99.02 96.61 98.56 98.72 96.55 

17 99.07 99.05 99.09 99.02 98.76 

18 98.38 99.31 98.50 99.30 99.43 

19 98.52 98.68 96.67 98.90 98.88 

20 68.85 70.95 72.03 68.41 68.50 

21+ 81.77 02.74 84.15 83.85 82.71 

3 82.86 02.50 82.11 81.67 00.29 

4 84.39 83.85 84.95 84.62 84.16 

5 91.25 89.85 86.13 88.53 88.88 

6 91.78 91.11 88.88 88.73 89.30 

7 92.92 91.94 91.47 89.68 88.43 

8 93.62 93.00 93.19 92.85 91.31 

9 92.85 94.44 94.30 92.80 93.23 

10 93.44 91.44 95.41 93.05 93.13 

11 95.93 9!5.43 83.44 90.66 91.29 

12 96.25 84.83 93.55 94.36 96.04 

13 97.21 97.52 95.88 95.56 94.82 

14 96.24 97.37 97.30 97.71 96.66 

15 97.96 97.60 96.07 97.65 97.24 

(continued) 

Pyc 134 GAO/NSMD@W7RR Attrition and Retention 
APPC* N 

Retention Data 

Yom in 

service 1984 

16 98.40 

17 98.96 

18 99.48 

19 96.18 

20 75.84 

21+ 79.65 

Women minus men’ 

3 -7.92 

4 -3.91 

1985 

9917 

99.68 

98.97 

94.57 

79.95 

81.86 

-8.01 

-444 

Fiscal year 

1986 

98 09 

98 94 

99.68 

96.89 

75.00 

82.83 

-9.11 

-4.06 

1987 1988 

98.93 99 19 

9917 99 14 

99 73 98 as 

9662 96 73 

75.88 73.75 

80.83 8127 

-8.80 -9 91 

-3.94 -3.94 

5 -0.02 -1.00 -2.85 -1.79 -102 

6 -0.02 0.24 -0.87 -1 99 -1.65 

7 0.23 0.50 0.38 0.01 -1.36 

8 -0.53 0.29 0.10 0.35 -058 

9 -3.21 -0.44 -0.35 -1.56 -0 95 

10 -2.44 -4.07 0.40 -166 -0.61 

11 0.29 0.77 -0.49 -0.62 0.33 

12 0.80 0.48 -1.94 -0.89 004 

13 -0.19 0.12 -1.80 -185 -2.34 

14 -1.69 -0.78 -0.91 0.02 -108 

15 -0.35 -0.55 -2.23 -0.50 -102 

16 -0.63 -0.44 -0.47 0.21 0.64 

17 -0.11 0.63 -0.15 0.15 038 

18 0.11 -0.34 0.17 0.43 -055 

19 -2.34 -4.12 -1.78 -2.28 -2.15 

20 6.99 9.00 2.97 7.47 5 10 

21+ -2.12 -0.85 -1.32 -3.02 -1 44 

Slen's rates were subtracted from women's rates.Therefore,a positive numberrndrcates a higher 

women’s rate, while a negative number indicates a higher men's rate. Differences may not appear exact 

due to rounding. 

Page 131 GAO/IUgL4DW-g7RR Attrition and Retention 
Tab40 IV.7: Air Force Offkor Retentkn 

R~(FiscelYears 1984Through 1988) Figures in percent 

Yeara in Fiscal year 

sewke lw4 lS85 lffl 1987 1988 

3 95.88 95.98 96.45 96.39 9490 

4 66.74 90.21 90.16 89.24 89.52 

5 95.02 94.21 94.49 94.00 9406 

6 93.86 93.59 93.52 94.50 93.&i 

7 94.75 93.67 93.38 89.11 A!3 --.-- 02 

8 95.16 93.88 93.39 93.16 90.72 

9 96.07 95.43 94.62 93.88 9447 

10 98.35 96.00 95.25 94.75 94.31 

11 97.43 95.74 94.05 93.83 91.70 

12 94.03 91.99 93.94 95.24 98.80 

13 97.55 96.98 97.72 97.61 97.26 

14 98.16 98.29 98.09 98.22 98.18 --. .- 

15 96.75 98.40 98.50 98.84 98.39 

16 99.26 98.69 98.56 98.94 98.89 

17 99.24 99.21 99.44 98.99 99.10 

18 99.56 99.61 99.74 99.49 99.76 

19 99.38 98.63 99.17 99.44 99.23 

20 67.27 70.49 71.07 88.26 63.90 

21+ 77.61 80.22 62.71 82.01 80.59 

3 84.45 83.93 85.48 83.24 82.27 

4 82.8 81.22 81.93 85.01 83.85 

5 91.37 89.33 87.21 90.31 88.90 

6 93.05 93.17 90.50 87.18 89.76 

7 93.31 91.77 91.97 89.67 85.93 

8 94.10 92.82 93.28 93.52 91.45 

9 93.61 94.12 94.54 93.23 94.07 

10 93.73 91.51 94.40 95.84 93.88 

11 98.86 95.36 92.49 90.55 89.77 

12 94.22 90.96 91.46 94.50 98.90 

13 97.37 97.72 96.28 97.73 97.59 

14 96.10 98.39 93.07 98.25 97.70 

15 97.48 99.32 98.90 96.81 96.88 

(contmued) 

Page l&l GAO/N8uDg(L878p Attrition and Retention 
Appendix N 

Retention D8ta 

:cz:” 1984 1986 

16 99.39 97.44 

17 98.99 100.00 

18 99.21 100.00 

Fiscal year 

1986 

97.97 

98.25 

100.00 

1907 1988 

98.35 99.59 

100.00 99.44 

100.00 10000 

19 100.00 99.21 97.00 99.38 98.20 

20 47.25 42.66 56.20 48.57 52.10 

21+ 74.13 7754 78.46 78.40 77 40 

Women minu8 morP 

3 -11.23 -12.05 -10.98 -13.15 -12.62 

4 -6.05 -8.99 -8.23 -4.23 -5.68 

5 -366 -4.87 -7.28 -3.70 -5.16 

6 -0.81 -0.52 -3.03 -7.32 -4.05 

7 -1.44 -1.90 -139 0.58 -3.09 

8 -1.06 -1.04 -0.12 0.37 0.73 

9 -246 -1.32 -0.08 -0.65 -0.40 

10 -2.62 -4.49 -0.85 0.89 -0.65 

11 -0.55 -0.39 -1.56 -3.28 -1.93 

12 0.20 -1.02 -2.46 -0.75 0.11 

13 -0.18 0.74 -1.44 0.11 0.34 

14 -2.05 0.09 -0.02 0.03 -0.48 

15 -1.27 0.93 0.40 0.17 -1.51 

16 0.13 -1.26 -0.59 -0.58 0.70 

17 -0.25 0.79 -1.19 1.01 0.34 

18 -0.35 0.39 0.26 0.51 0.24 

19 0.82 0.59 -2.17 -0.08 -1.03 

20 -20.02 -2764 -14.87 -17.69 -11.81 

21+ -3.49 -2.66 -4.24 -3.62 -319 

*Men’s rates were subtracted from women’s rates. Therefore, a positive number indrcates a higher 

women’s rate, white a negative number indicates a nigher men's rate. Differences may not appear exact 

due to rounding. 

P4e 137 GAO/NSIAD-WWBR Attxldon and Retention 
Appendix N 

&tenuon Data 

Tabh 1V.b: Navy omcor R*tentlon Rator 

(Fiscal Years 1984Through 1988) Fiaures in cwcent 

ZE 

Flsc8l year 

1984 198s 1906 1987 1980 

3 93.07 93.22 93.37 93.33 92.92 

4 87.62 88.05 88.62 88.44 89.84 

5 88.20 88.41 89.70 88.49 88.48 

6 89.09 86.51 87.35 86.57 86.72 

7 89.24 86.04 86.05 86.81 87.23 

8 90.70 89.33 89.58 89.06 89.27 

9 93.88 91.79 92.50 92.64 91 95 

ld 94.60 83.96 92.51 91.90 89.01 

11 96.58 96.03 95.00 95.77 95.59 

12 -97.26 96.70 96.95 97.40 96.23 

13 97.i 97.51 97.92 97.79 97.94 

14 97.98 98.13 98.33 97.74 98.07 

15 98.78 98.50 98.54 98.39 98.94 

16 99.17 98.95 98.80 98.83 98.53 

17 99.25 99.18 99.08 99.04 98.60 

18 99.15 98.81 99.47 99.55 99.13 

19 98.52 98.51 98.71 98.77 99.09 

20 74.11 73.76 74.44 73.74 74.67 

21+ 85.98 85.35 85.23 85.22 83.67 

3 87.35 88.77 83.23 83.91 81.70 

4 89.36 87.75 88.73 8448 81.94 

5 90.08 90.89 89.97 88.54 89.33 

6 m?o 89.93 88.40 86.96 89.92 

7 92.89 91.01 80.98 87.28 90.14 

8 94.27 95.78 91.71 92.03 89.91 

9 93.91 96.30 92.88 92.43 92.66 

10 96.23 87.96 96.60 90.74 89.10 

11 98.80 96.09 93.65 94.76 96.05 

12 98.34 97.64 97.20 98.37 

13 98.59 98.87 94.92 93.57 

14 86.64 98.60 98.26 97.98 

15 99.03 97.86 97.16 97.67 

96.73 

92.67 

97.05 

97.56 

(continued) 

Pya lsa GAO/N8uDBoglBp Attrition and Retention 
Appendix N 

Betcntion D8ta 

Years in Fiscal war 

service i 984 1985 1986 1987 1988 

16 100.00 99.07 97.93 9926 9943 

17 100.00 100.00 100.00 99.30 9925 

18 10000 98.48 10900 100.00 97 92 

-____ 

19 98.28 96.67 100.00 100.00 98 13 

20 60.00 61.67 6452 66.67 5532 

--- 

21+ 83.46 83.45 86.30 8354 81 72 

Women mlnus men. 

3 -5.72 -4.45 -10.14 -9.42 -1122 

4 1.75 -0.31 0.11 -3.97 -7 90 

5 1.88 2.49 0.27 0.05 0.85 

6 1.12 3.42 1.05 0.39 3.19 

7 3.65 4.97 4.93 0.47 2.92 

8 3.57 6.45 2.13 296 0.65 

9 0.03 4.51 0.39 -0.21 0.71 

10 1.62 -5.98 4.09 -1.16 0.09 

11 2.22 0.06 -1.35 -1.01 046 

12 1.08 0.94 0.25 0.97 050 

13 0.86 1.36 -3.00 -4.21 -527 

14 -1.33 0.47 -0.07 0.24 -103 

15 0.25 -0.54 -1.37 -0.71 -1.38 

16 0.83 0.11 -0.97 0.43 0.90 

17 0.75 0.82 0.92 0.26 0.65 

18 0.85 -0.33 0.53 0.45 -1 21 

19 -0.25 -1.84 1.29 1.23 -0.96 

20 -14.11 -12.09 -9.92 -7.07 -19.35 

21+ -2.53 -1.89 1.07 -1.69 -1.95 

Stan’s rates were subtracted from women’s rates. Therefore, a positive number Indicates a higher 

women's rate, while a negative number indicates a higher men's rate. Differences may not appear exact 

due to rounding. 

P8ge 139 GAO/NSLUWMHBB Attrition and Retention 
T&l8 IV.0: Army Otflcer Retention Wea 

(Fiscal Years 1984Through 1988) 

Figures in percent 

ZtzF 19U 

Man 

3 86.89 

4 88.33 

lW5 

87.21 

87.38 

Asc8l yew 

1986 

88.08 

88.59 

1987 isaa 

84.69 85.55 

88.29 86.36 

5 89.73 90.40 89.88 88.57 88.63 

6 92.97 92.38 92.59 91.24 9291 --.- 

7 93.36 93.10 92.64 ;2.;3 92.66 

8 95.21 93.43 94.86 93.87 94.19 

9 96.55 96.00 95.75 95.46 95.07 

10 96.65 96.28 96.23 95.62 95.57 --.-. 

11 93.71 93.73 93.54 85.99 87.57 

12 95.36 95.27 95.82 93.55 96.54 

13 96.83 97.68 97.93 96.78 96.47 

14 97.55 98.05 98.18 96.94 96.88 

15 97.54 97.66 97.86 97.49 97.71 

16 98.65 98.28 98.36 98.49 98.25 

17 98.75 98.81 98.75 99.12 98.38 

18 99.39 99.27 99.42 98.99 99.26 

19 97.88 99.02 98.33 98.77 98.64 

20 66.97 68.88 71.52 67.42 69.27 

21+ 82.36 83.01 84.87 84.47 84.16 

3 78.74 77.99 78.68 79.19 77.55 

4 83.59 83.79 85.62 84.45 85.62 

5 91.90 90.34 88.32 86.51 88.88 

6 91.28 88.83 89.97 91.31 89.19 

7 91.94 92.80 91.35 91.77 89.70 

8 92.98 90.89 93.65 92.41 91.96 

9 90.57 93.33 96.17 92.63 92.52 

10 90.62 92.77 95.31 91.77 95.04 

11 92.72 95.16 94.72 87.04 88.91 

12 97.29 95.64 93.67 91.89 94.56 

13 97.16 97.67 98.09 96.35 92.06 

14 98.31 96.20 97.65 98.40 96.59 

15 97.71 97.70 93.68 98.13 98.03 

Pyc 140 GAO-R Attrition and Retention 
Years in 

service 1994 1995 

Fiscal year 

1999 1987 1989 

16 97 04 

17 98.45 

ia 100.00 

19 95.83 

20 60.53 

21+ 81.65 

Women minur man. 

3 -8.15 

4 -4.74 

97 a4 99.37 99.44 99 03 

99.21 98.51 98.75 98 a4 

96.52 99.20 99.25 99 37 

96.04 97.74 96.12 97 74 

70.42 63.64 66.42 67 63 

86.18 82.73 81.25 a517 

-9.22 -9.40 -5.50 -6.00 

-3.56 -2.96 -3&l -0.74 

5 2.16 -0.05 -1.56 -2.06 024 

6 -1.69 -3.55 -2.61 0.07 -3.72 

7 -1.42 -0.31 -1.29 -0.36 -2.98 

a -2.23 -2.53 -1.21 -1.46 -2.22 

9 -5.98 -2.67 -0.58 -2.84 -2.56 

10 -6.03 -3.51 -0.92 -3.85 -0.52 

11 -0.99 1.43 1.18 1.05 1.34 

12 1.93 0.36 -2.15 -166 -197 

13 0.33 0 0.16 -0.43 -4.41 

14 0.76 -1.86 -0.53 1.46 -0 29 

15 0.17 0.05 -4.17 0.64 033 

16 -1.61 -0.44 1.01 0.94 0.78 

17 -0.30 0.41 -0.25 -0.37 0 47 

ia 0.61 -0.75 -0.22 0.26 011 

19 -2.05 -2.98 -0.59 -2.65 -0.89 

20 -6.44 1.54 -7.89 -1.00 -1.65 

21+ -0.71 3.17 -2.14 -3.22 1.01 

Wen’s rates were subtracted from women’s rates. Therefore, a positive number lndlcates a higher 

women’s rate while a negative number indicates a higher men’s rate. Differences may not appear exact 

due to rounding. 

Page 141 GAO/N8 IADMWBB Attrition and Retention 
Appendix V 

Objectives, Scope, and Methodology 

The Chairman, Subcommittee on Military Personnel and Compensation, 

House Committee on Armed Services, requested that we review the 

attrition and retention of women in the military. The Subcommittee 

requested that we 

. compare attrition rates for men and women in officer and enlisted 

grades, 

l identify the primary categories of separation for enlisted men and 

women during their first enlistment, and 

. compare retention rates for men and women in officer and enlisted 

grades. 

As used in this report, attrition refers to the loss (voluntary or involuntary) of military personnel prior to completion of the first term of enlistment or obligated duty. Retention refers to the voluntary continuation in 

military service of persons who complete their first enlistment or 

obligation. 

We discussed attrition and retention issues with, and obtained documentation from, officials of the Department of Defense, the Air Force, Army, 

Navy, and Marine Corps. For each service, we met with officials at headquarters, military personnel centers, training commands, and one basic 

training location. 

Our analysis of enlisted and officer attrition, and officer retention, is 

based on data from the Defense Manpower Data Center. Our analysis of 

enlisted retention uses data obtained from the services through a special 

request from the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Force 

Management and Personnel. We did not verify the data obtained from 

these sources. 

Our review covered attrition and retention of active duty officers and 

en&&es. For enlisted personnel, our analysis focused on non-prior service enlistees for the primary terms of enlistment, which were the 4- 

year enlistment in each service and also the 3-year enlistment in the 

Army. Because an officer’s initial term of obligation was generally 3,4, 

5, or 6 years in the 19809, our review of officer attrition focused on 

separations occurring during the first 3 years of service. 

The data presented compares men and women who entered or left the 

service in the same time frame and context. Our review covered data for 

5 fiscal years, with the exception of enlisted separation categories which 

were analyzed for 3 fiial years. We did not review service programs or 

Page 142 GAO-R Attrition and Retentioll 
policies which might contribute to differences in behavior for one group 

of fiscal year entrants or separations in comparison to another fiscal 

year’s results. We did not obtain information on the causes of attrition 

beyond what separation category data provides. To reach enough people 

to conduct a valid independent survey would have required considerable 

calendar and staff time and produced results with very limited 

applicability. 

We conducted our review from September 1988 to May 1989 in accordance with generally accepted government auditing standards. 

Page 148 GAO-R Attrldon and Retention 

--. 
Appendix VI 

Ganments From the Department of Defense 

ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE 

WASNINOTON. D.C. l0I0I-4000 

68APRlQQO 

CONCL MANAOCYLYT AN0 WRSONNCL 

Mr. Frank C. Conahan 

Assistant Comptroller General 

National Security and International 

Affairs Division 

U.S. General Accounting Office 

Washington, D.C. 20548 

Dear Mr. Conahan: 

This is the Department of Defense (DOD) response to the General 

Accounting Office GAO) draft apart, "#oEw IN THE MILITARY: 

Attrition and RhteI%iOn," dated March 19, 1990 (GAO Code 391096/OSD 

Case 8273) . 

The DOD has reviewed the report and concurs without further 

cozmmnt. Tha Departmnt appreciates the opportunity to review the 

report in draft form. 

Sincerely, 

Page I44 GAO-R Attrition end bteetlor 
Ppe 

hhz Contributors to This Report 

National Security and Foy D. Wicker, Assistant Director 

International Affairs Marilyn C. Mauch, Assistant Director 

Division 

Washington, DC. 

Beverly Ann Bendekgey, Evaluator-in-Charge 

Judy Lasley, Evaluator 

Diane Blake Harper, Social Science Analyst 

Norfolk Regional 

Office 

Robert Mandigo, Site Senior 

Susan D. Martin, Evaluator 

(a@low Pa#elM GAO~At%rlUMand Reteodon 

.- 

--- 
Requests for copies of GAO reports should be sent to: 

U.S. General Accounting Office 

Post Office Box 6015 

Gaithersburg, Maryland 20877 

Telephone 202-275-6241 

The first five copies of each report are free. Additional copies are 

$2.00 each. 

There is a 2500 discount on orders for 100 or more copies mailed to a 

single address. 

Orders must be prepaid by cash or by check or money order made 

out to the Superintendent of hcument~.