Incomplete Tours: Causes, Trends, and Differences

The Director, Military Personnel Plans and Policy Division (N13) sponsored this study to help determine to what extent enlisted sea tours are completed and extended, the sources of incomplete tours, and what policy options might effectively increase completions. A 2002 CNA study raised alarm regarding the percentage of tours that were not completed. We were asked to update the study and improve understanding of tour completion. First, we examine the proper metrics for evaluating the success of a tour. We then compute the percentage of incomplete tours and examine factors which cause variations in completion rates and in the sea time contributed by each tour. Finally, we discuss policy options that would be the most effective in increasing the amount of sea time.