Why do Male and Female Surface Warfare Officers Leave the Navy An analysis of the Individual Ready R

1

• Why do Male and Female Surface Warfare Officers
  Leave the Navy? An analysis of the Individual
  Ready Reserve
• Eighth Annual Navy Workforce Research and
  Analysis Conference
• Alice Crawford
• May 6, 2008

2
Background

• Research funded by N1 in 2006 focused on
  retention of women SWOs
• Women who stay SWO are motivated by the same
  reasons as men and have had mentors
• Family concerns remain among many women
• QOL, leadership, monetary and career path issues
  described
• Life/Work Summit and TFLW followed
• Other studies question SWO bonus and
  leadership/culture

3
Approach

• Research in 2007 analyzed SWO IRR survey data
• Can we learn anything new from those who are no
  longer on active duty?
• Do reasons for leaving differ by gender?
• All 551 SWOs at IRR muster took the survey
• YG 1983-2005 divided into pre- and post-YG94 to
  account for SWOCP

4
Results YG 94 and Later

• Why did you leave?
• First four of 28 factors for both men and women
• Strain on family
• Overall time away from home
• Life/work imbalance
• Ability to start/grow a family
• Top 1/3 are all family and leadership factors

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Selected Ratings of Separation Influences (Very
Strong or Strong) for YG 94 Later
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Selected Ratings of Separation Influences (Very
Strong or Strong) for YG 94 Later
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Yes or Maybe I Would Consider Returning to Active
Duty if There Were Significant Improvements in
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What One Thing Should Be Done to Improve SWO
Retention?
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Final Comments on Survey

• Concerns related to SWO leadership, culture and
  morale outweighed other categories
• Men 43
• Women 29
• Family/personal time issues were also commented
  on frequently
• Men 10
• Women 24

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Conclusions

• Order of influences to leave
• Family
• Leadership
• Compensation and benefits
• Few differences between data from men vs. women
• Both men and women would consider a return to
  active duty if changes were made more women than
  men
• Non-monetary retention factors should be
  addressed

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Recommendations

• Further analysis of the data
• Revise survey administer to other communities
• Analyze CNL SMARTS/360 data
• Conduct further research on mentoring, e.g., at
  Department Head level

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Backup Slides
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Yes, I Would Now Consider Returning to Active
Duty if There Were Significant Improvements In
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Yes or Maybe, I Would Now Consider Returning to
Active Duty if There Were Significant
Improvements In