Perceptions of Army Officers in a Changing Army

Abstract : The purpose of the Longitudinal Research on Officer Careers (LROC) research project was to track the changes in attitudes and career experiences of company grade officers over time; to identify the individual, organizational, psychosocial, and family factors that influence officer career decisions; and to investigate the effects of policy change and world events on the attitudes and career decisions of officers. The LROC survey was conducted annually from 1988 to 1992. Interviews were also conducted in 1991. This report highlights results from the four surveys and the interviews. Specifically, the report focuses on the factors that potentially influence career decisions, namely, organizational identification, job/career issues, and the perceived impact of downsizing. Results indicate that-officers participating in the LROC project were strongly committed to the Army; however, they were more concerned and less confident about their career prospects in 1992 than they were in 1988. About 35-40% of the officers were not in the branch of their choice. This branch mismatch negatively influenced their job and career satisfaction and-their perceptions of their career prospects. Attitudes, Company grade officers, Branching, Retention, Career experiences, Downsizing, Career intentions