Retention of Junior Enlisted Soldiers in the All-Volunteer Army Reserve

The Army Reserve loses approximately 30 percent of its personnel annually. Most of these losses are junior enlisted who do not complete their initial service obligation. The purpose of this study was to develop and test several hypotheses regarding why junior enlisted leave the Army Reserve before the end of their current obligations. Three general models were tested: demographic-pecuniary; unit activities (e.g., unit leadership, training, and administration); and family and civilian employment conflicts with Army Reserve duties in combination with unit activities. Findings support the Army Reserve continuing to offer both pecuniary incentives for joining and remaining in the Army Reserve (i.e., enlistment bonuses and educational benefits) and unit activities that promote feelings of self-worth (e.g., belonging and importance to the unit through recognition and awards) and self-development (through training in military job and general soldiers' skills)