Navy First-Term Retention Falters

From 2001 through 2005 the Navy met or exceeded its recruiting retention goals, but retention dropped in 2006 and appears to be sliding for 2007, according to Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Mullen. In 2006, only 51.34 percent of eligibles re-enlisted and the results so far this year look like the fiscal 2007 goal of 50 percent might slip. One factor, according to Adm. Mullen, might be that Sailors are extending their enlistments long enough to return to a combat zone in order to get their re-enlistment bonuses and annual payments tax-free. Another possible cause, suggested by David S.C. Chu, deputy defense secretary for personnel and readiness, could be because the Navy’s shift in emphasis on physical fitness tests disqualified more first-term sailors from re-enlisting. Adm. Mullen said the Navy is studying the anomaly.