Abstract
Although the U.S. Navy has schools that enable boot camp graduates to complete the Sailorization process and transforms them into active-duty service members, life skills training that focuses on developing resiliency and toughness in new accessions and preparing them for the rigors and demands of service in afloat naval commands does not exist. Similarly, during periods of lengthy maintenance for afloat naval commands sailors’ ability to perform their tasks in the scope of their trained occupational specialty is challenged. Maintenance availability periods are a vulnerable time for first-term enlisted sailors, and their mentorship and development must become a command's priority if the goal is to retain trained personnel. This mixed methods study analyzed first-term enlisted sailor retention for ashore and afloat commands and emphasized the effect periods of constant maintenance had on retention. The second phase of research included analysis of interview transcripts for sailors and ombudsman in Mayport and Norfolk, eliciting feedback that may stimulate recognition from military policymakers. Findings show that afloat command maintenance availabilities greater than 180 consecutive days negatively impact retention and surprisingly, retention for first-term enlisted sailors assigned to afloat commands yielded higher retention than ashore commands. A textual analysis of the challenges identified by sailors added depth to the quantitative findings and prompted the creation of a design model focused on restructuring educational systems supporting A-school as well as job training efforts to develop tough sailors who are resilient and prepared for service in a dynamic afloat command environment.|Keywords: reenlistment, sailor, U.S. Navy, attrition, A-school, maintenance