The Army's Delayed Entry Program

Abstract

The Delayed Entry Program, which allows individuals to delay reporting for active duty up to 12 months after signing enlistment contracts, is a valuable management tool used by the U.S. Army Recruiting Command and other U.S. military recruiting organizations. Attrition from this program increases recruiting costs and reduces training efficiency. DEP attrition is analyzed here using microdata for individuals who signed Army enlistment contracts during fiscal years 1986 and 1987. The findings indicate that the strongest predictors of DEP attrition are related to personal characteristics. Being younger, male, black, a high school graduate, and having dependents reduces the likelihood a recruit will be a DEP loss. Economic factors also influence DEP loss. The results suggest that as the economy becomes stronger, DEP loss is more prevalent. Increasing recruiting incentives result in small, but significant, reductions in the probability of DEP loss. The findings also indicate longer DEP terms increase DEP attrition.