How come there is a 90% turnover every four years in the military?

Question

If the military is so great how come so many get out after 4 years?

Answer 1

Because the once the soldier finds out that most of what was told to him/her by the recruiter or other sources is pure BS they tend to not want to stay. Crappy food, poor pay, shitty working conditions, long hours, no overtime...

Answer 2

I highly doubt your 90% number, but in any case, like most people said, it's not a permanent job for most enlistees. Many sign up to qualify for the G.I. Bill so they can pay for college. Most people leave college after four years too, so you could ask the same question - if it's so great, why are they leaving? Because they're done with it.

Also, a lot of people want families, and I can't imagine that military life is good for meeting the opposite sex, settling down and raising a family. People do it, but it's far from ideal.

Answer 3

Have you got a reference for that? That's an awful high turnover rate, even for the military. I would think it somewhere in the neighborhood of 50-60% for first-termers.

Another thought would be because employers like people with military experience under their belts. It shows they know how to follow directions along with many other positive aspects gained from a military past. These are especially beneficial to them and the individual when they enter the private sector.

Answer 4

Reference for this claim? Do the math. If 9 out of 10 people left the service every 4 years, by year 4, regardless of when you start, the total forces would be less than 50% of the total authorized by Congress. Do you really think we would be in Iraq and Afghanistan and still have troops on the ground in Europe, the far east and here at home? Again, do the math.

Answer 5

Duh!

Most people join the service for one tour of duty. It is very hard, grueling work, and especially in times of war, it is not surprising that everyone doesn't make a career out of it.

There are a lot of privates and corporals on the ground, but the numbers drop quickly as the ranks increase. Why? Because it is expected that the average person doesn't want to be a private for their entire life.

There is no surprise here. It's only those who love the service, and get the promotions who stay. They get more pay, more prestige, etc. The rest move into private life, like you and me.

Answer 6

Most soldiers volunteer for a short stint. Anyone staying in the military for more than four years is pursuing a career. The same is true for any job in any field.

The time required to master a skill is no longer than a year or two, so if one does not desire a career, that period of time is usually how long they will remain in that particular field.

Answer 7

Because serving in the military, no matter which democracy your from is a sacrafice. Some do it and then are finished with it. They did their part, they are glad to have done it, and they move on. The 10% find it a viable career for them. In most circumstances though the pay is pretty low for the job one does. Remember to be in the military is to SERVE your country.

Answer 8

it may seem like 90% of the soldiers get out after 4 years but that is not true at all. i am a military spouse and i know tons of people who are "lifers" or in other words, soldiers that make a lifetime career out of the military.

Answer 9

The military (especially in the enlisted segment) is an up-or-out kind of vocation. They only need so many non-commissioned officers ( the best of the bunch to guide the privates and the officers). Except in wartime, they actively decide who to recruit for re-enlisting. Otherwise, we'd be up to our armpits in sergeants.

Answer 10

2 points

Answer 11

being in the army, that number sounds high. you do have to remember that i would say 99 percent of people that join, only intend on doing one enlistment. just wondering where you got your 90% turnover rate??