An examination of attrition and retention predictors for Canadian naval personnel

Abstract

The primary objectives of this study were: to examine a predictive model of attrition using coping potential, beliefs, attitudes, and intentions; and to determine what differences exist between individuals who stay and individuals who leave, and what effect language group has on attrition. Subjects were 237 sailors in the Canadian navy, 61 were Francophones, 176 were Anglophones. Subjects completed the Wheel Questionnaire and the Fleet School Attrition Survey while in QL3 training. Intention to serve was a useful predictor of behavior. In turn, intention was predicted by beliefs about being in the Navy, beliefs about military occupation, and attitudes for stayers. For leavers, intention was predicted by beliefs about being in the Navy. The results of the study indicate that (1) it is appropriate to use beliefs and intentions to predict intention to serve, (2) language group has a large influence on rate of attrition, with more Francos attriting than Anglos, and (3) more information is known about stayers than leavers. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)