The relationship between deployment and turnover in Australian Navy personnel
Date
2009
Authors
Carboon, I.
Creamer, M.
Forbes, A.
McKenzie, D.
McFarlane, A.
Kelsall, H.
Editors
Advisors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Type:
Journal article
Citation
Military Psychology, 2009; 21(2):233-240
Statement of Responsibility
Isla Carboon, Mark Creamer, Andrew B. Forbes, Dean P. McKenzie, Alexander C. McFarlane and Helen L. Kelsall
Conference Name
Abstract
Increases in the frequency of operations tempo have focused attention on the relationship between deployment and separation from military service. This retrospective study explored the association between deployment and turnover over a 10-year period in Royal Australian Navy (RAN) personnel. Participants were 2355 males who served in the RAN during the period of the 1991 Gulf War (August 1990-September 1991); approximately half had been deployed to that conflict. Data were collected 10 years later as part of the Australian Gulf War Veterans' Health Study. During that 10-year period, 61% of participants left the RAN. The likelihood of separation decreased as number of deployments increased even when controlling for age, rank, and length of service. Personnel deployed to the 1991 Gulf conflict did not have a significantly higher risk of separation. The results provide evidence that deployment is not necessarily a risk factor for separation.