PERSTEMPO: Its Effects on Soldiers' Attitudes

Abstract

Abstract : With the recent decreases in the U.S. Army of both personnel and resources and with the concurrent increase in missions performed, there has been concern that the amount of time soldiers are away from home station, or Personnel Tempo (PERSTEMPO), may have a negative impact on the attitudes of Active Component soldiers which in turn affect retention, readiness, and morale. This report investigates the relationship between the amount of time soldiers are away from their duty stations and their attitudes toward the Army. Available data from the spring missions of the Sample Survey of Military Personnel from 1994 through 1997 were used. Data were analyzed with respect to time away from duty station. The more time soldiers spend away from their duty stations, the less likely they are to be satisfied with the amount of time a soldier Is separated from family. For those who are leaving or are thinking of leaving the Army, the first most important reason for officers and the third most important reason for enlisted personnel for leaving is the amount of time separated from family. For officers and enlisted personnel as a whole, the amount of time away from the duty station has no statistically significant relationship with Army career intentions, readiness, morale, stress levels, spouse support, family adjustment and job satisfaction. This report provides a baseline from which leaders may gauge future attitudes and intentions in relation to the amount of time a soldier spends away from the duty station for deployments, training, etc.