The Influence of Time Perspective on Retention in United States Army Personnel

Abstract: Military retention beyond an initial period of military service is essential to sustain a competent and resilient fighting force. The present exploratory study examined how time perspective is related to military retention in U.S. Army veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Time perspective was assessed using the Short Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory. To measure military retention, respondents were delimited to veterans separated from the military allowing for an accurate measurement of years served. The identification of a positive relationship between past-positive time perspective and retention (r = .34, p < .05) expands upon the understanding of psychosocial factors that influence the decision to remain in the military. The potential malleability of time perspective is discussed as a measure to enhance retention of experienced military professionals in the U.S. Army.