Predictors of one-year attrition in female Marine Corps recruits.
OBJECTIVE
The study seeks to identify demographic and health-related predictors of attrition among female Marine Corps recruits.


METHODS
Data are from a longitudinal study of female recruits entering the Marine Corps between June 1999 and June 2000 (N = 2,157). Measures come from tracking data and a self-administered paper-and-pencil questionnaire.


RESULTS
During recruit training (RT) 11.2% of recruits were discharged. Among RT graduates 6.6% were discharged during the following year. The cumulative attrition rate was 17.1%. No prior history of regular exercise was the only consistent predictor of discharge. Multivariate analysis also identified unsafe sex, age, race/ethnicity, and recruiting status (for active duty vs. reserve) as significant predictors of cumulative attrition.


CONCLUSIONS
One-year attrition among female Marines may be reduced by more extensively screening applicants who report risk-taking behavior. Such screening can exclude applicants who are unlikely to succeed and identify others who may need additional support to complete their tour of duty.
Pollack
Lance M
LM
Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, University of California, San Francisco, 50 Beale Street, Suite 1300, San Francisco, CA 94105, USA.
Boyer
Cherrie B
CB
Betsinger
Kelli
K
Shafer
Mary-Ann
MA
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D003710:Demography; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008016:Life Change Events; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D010563:Personnel Turnover; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult