https://crsreports.congress.gov
Updated November 15, 2024
Defense Primer: Active Component Enlisted Retention
Retention
The term retention refers to the rate at which military personnel voluntarily choose to stay in the military after their obligated term of service has ended as determined by their enlistment contract (typically less than six years for an initial contract). Imbalances in the retention rate can cause problems within the military personnel system. A common retention concern is that too few people will stay in, thereby creating a shortage of experienced leaders, decreasing military efficiency, and lowering job satisfaction. This was a particular concern from 2004 to 2009, as the stress of major combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan raised concerns about the willingness of military personnel to continue serving. The opposite concern may also occur at times, particularly during force drawdowns: that too many people will stay in, thereby decreasing promotion opportunities and possibly requiring involuntarily separations to prevent the organization from becoming “top heavy” with middle- and upper-level leaders or to comply with end-strength limitations. Each of these imbalances can also have a negative impact on recruiting by making the military a less-attractive career option.
Congressional Role
The Constitution provides Congress with broad powers over the Armed Forces, including the power “To raise and support Armies” and “To provide and maintain a Navy.” In the exercise of this authority, Congress has historically shown great interest in maintaining military retention rates sufficient to sustain a fully manned and capable military workforce. Through its oversight powers, Congress monitors the performance of the Executive Branch in managing the size and quality of the military workforce.
Congress influences retention rates in a variety of ways, including authorizing and funding
• overall compensation levels, particularly in light of their
competitiveness with private-sector compensation;
• quality-of-life initiatives that enhance servicemember
and family member satisfaction with a military career;
• retention programs that provide for dedicated career
counselors; and
• retention incentives, such as reenlistment bonuses.
More broadly, congressionally established personnel end- strength levels can influence each armed service’s retention
goals. For example, if Congress were to substantially increase the end-strength for an armed service, that service would generally require a greater number of new recruits, higher rates of retention among current servicemembers, or some combination of the two. Congress also establishes criteria that affect eligibility for continued service, such as disability separation and retirement (Title 10 U.S. Code, Chapter 61) and punitive discharge for criminal activity (Title 10 U.S. Code, Chapter 45).
Retention Goals and Results
Table 1 lists active component enlisted retention goals and results for FY2022-FY2024. The data are broken out by armed service and retention zones, which are established by each armed service to reflect important phases in the military career lifecycle. The armed services define their primary retention zones as follows:
For Navy, Air Force, and Space Force:
• Zone A (Initial Term): serving in first enlistment with
less than 6 years of service.
• Zone B (Midcareer): second or subsequent enlistment
with less than 10 years of service.
• Zone C (Career): second or subsequent enlistment with
10-14 years of service.
The Navy and Air Force also have a Zone D and Zone E, which are not shown in Table 1. Navy Zone D is 14 to 20 years of service, and Zone E is more than 20 years of service. Air Force Zone D is 14 years to under 18 years of service, and Zone E is 18 years to under 20 years of service.
The Army uses the same definitions for Zones A and B as the other three services above; however, for Zone C, the Army includes all enlisted personnel over 10 years of service.
The Marine Corps uses slightly different categories:
• First term: serving in first enlistment with more than 17
months and less than 6 years of service.
• Subsequent: second or subsequent enlistment, with less
than 18 years of service.
• Other: Those with more than 18 years of service.