Author Description

The purpose of this study was to assist in the transition of the Longitudinal Research on Officer Careers (LROC) survey from a research to an operational tool. Interviews were conducted with communities to determine their information needs concerning junior officer careers. Sample LROC data analyses were conducted to show how data might be applied to policy and operational information needs. Analyses included inter-individual change, cluster analysis, and event history analysis. Composites of survey items were used in the analyses; these included composites on satisfaction with work, supervisors, and peers as well as on characteristics of the job and the relative attraction of an Army career. Significant predictors of officer retention included retention propensity, a positive comparison between military and civilian jobs, and perceived less ease in entering the civilian job market. Specific recommendations were made on how to transition the survey effort to an operational environment.