Impact of Transformational Leadership on Job Satisfaction and Organizational Commitment and the Re-Enlistment Intention of Virginia Army National Guard Soldiers

Abstract

A key component to the success of the Army National Guard (ARNG) is the retention of its soldiers. The ARNG must maintain enough soldiers to accomplish their mission of supporting the active duty Army. Leadership is one of the important factors that influence soldiers' level of job satisfaction and organizational commitment and ultimately their intention to remain or leave the ARNG. This research study sought to determine the impact of transformational leadership on job satisfaction, organizational commitment, and re-enlistment intention. The research questions guiding this study included: (1) Does transformational leadership impact the re-enlistment intention of first term soldiers, mid-term soldiers, and careerist soldiers? (2) Does transformational leadership impact the job satisfaction of first term soldiers, mid-term soldiers, and careerist soldiers? (3) Does job satisfaction mediate the impact of transformational leadership on the re-enlistment intention of first term soldiers, mid-term soldiers, and careerist soldiers? (4) Does transformational leadership impact the organizational commitment of first term soldiers, mid-term soldiers, and careerist soldiers? (5) Does organizational commitment mediate the impact of transformational leadership on the reenlistment intention of first term soldiers, mid-term soldiers, and careerist soldiers? (6) Does job satisfaction and organizational commitment mediate the impact of transformational leadership on the re-enlistment intention of first term soldiers; mid-term soldiers; and careerist soldiers? (7) Is there a significant difference amongst the transformational leadership, job satisfaction, organizational commitment, and reenlistment intention of first term soldiers, mid-term soldiers, and careerist soldiers? Data for this study were collected using a survey that included closed form Likert scale questions and demographic questions. Two hundred sixty-one Virginia Army National Guard (VAARNG) soldiers completed the survey. Descriptive statistics and multiple regression analyses were used to address the research questions. The findings of this study indicated that transformational leadership does have a significant impact on the job satisfaction and organizational commitment of VAARNG soldiers, but the impact decreases as a soldier's time in the military increases. Transformational leadership also had a significant direct effect on re-enlistment intention, but the direct effects of transformational leadership on re-enlistment intention are mediated by job satisfaction and organizational commitment. Transformational leadership's impact on job satisfaction and organizational commitment revealed military leaders at all levels should be taught how to be transformational leaders because it can help improve the retention of soldiers.