An Exploratory Study of Job Satisfaction, Retention, and Performance of Navy Enlisted Men

The relationship of two aspects of job satisfaction are examined: satisfaction with the work itself (job content) and satisfaction of the job environment (job context) to retention behavior and measures of on-the-job performance of first-term Naval enlisted men. While both job content and job context factors are found to be important determiners of on-the-job performance, only the job context and compensation measures asserted a strong influence on reenlistment decision. The findings suggested that the Navy should concentrate on improving the aspects of naval life associated with the satisfaction of more basic needs - such as pay, image of the Navy, and ship-board living conditions - to retain enlisted men, particularly those in the 'hard' ratings in the electronics and electromechanical occupational groups.