Government Executive Magazine - 9/11/00 Navy says retention rate improving

The Navy is retaining sailors a greater rate than expected and thereby easing pressure to recruit new service members in the tight labor market.

"Our success in retention has had a positive and direct impact on recruiting. Focusing our investment on keeping proven performers reduces the requirement for recruiting the next generation of leaders," said Vice Adm. Norb Ryan, chief of naval personnel, in a prepared statement.

The Navy recently lowered its recruiting goals by 1,600 (4 percent) to 55,000 for the current fiscal year and cut recruiting goals for fiscal 2001 by about 4,000 (6 percent) to 56,350.

The Navy cites several reasons for improved retention, including: pay raises and pay table reform, retirement pay reform, reduced training cycles, reenlistment bonus programs for certain positions, and greater advancement opportunities.

Navy leaders said they expect retention rates to continue to improve as the service expands reenlistment bonus programs and implements other improvements in its pay and the personnel system.