Research for Focus Groups

The Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps asked CNA to examine the effects of current deployment tempo on retention. This study, which was sponsored by the Deputy Commandant, Manpower and Reserve Affairs, reports on the relationship between deployment tempo and reenlistment. It draws on information gathered through a series of focus groups with Marines on the east and west coasts as well as statistical analysis of deployed-day data matched with Marines’ personnel records. The study recommends several measures that could be adopted to ease the stress caused by deployments, including facilitating local exchanges between heavy deployers and nondeployers, providing forward-deployed mobile education vans, considering a wartime regular reenlistment bonus, and offering BAH/BAS for outstanding first-term NCOs.