Exploring Communication and Navy Retention

Ineffective communication may cause Sailors to leave the Navy. Although Sailors report dissatisfaction with career development communication, Navy leaders may not understand how their career development communication compares with Sailors' communication habits and preferences. By better understanding Sailors' communication preferences and habits, leaders may be able to focus communication efforts in a way that improves career development communication and positively influences retention. This study examined research questions that compared Sailors' preferred communication preferences with Navy leaders' use of communication. A qualitative method using a case study design was used. Sailors and Navy leaders were interviewed within the context of their career development communication. Results from interviews with Navy leaders and Sailors were evaluated in light of the theories that guided the study and compared with information from secondary data reviews and other studies related to communication and retention. Theories related to this study included symbolic convergence theory, coordinated management of meaning, social exchange theory, uses and gratification theory, and self determination theory. Sailors report their preferences for career development communication as online resources, face-to-face communication, E-mail, and social networking sites. Although similarities were found between how Sailors and Navy leaders communicate, a deeper exploration into secondary data and interview transcripts revealed differences. For example, Navy leaders report a preference for a single authoritative source of communication, but Sailors report a preference for more autonomy and a freedom to use the means of communication that meets their individual needs. Recommendations include offering authoritative sources for career development information through multiple communication channels, maximizing the use of online resources, expanding the use of social networking sites, and using face-to-face communication as part of career development. Sailors report a preference for verifying information from websites because of the ease, reliability, and speed of finding information online. Sailors also report the value they place in trusted information from Navy leaders, and the importance of family when making career decisions. Future researchers may wish to explore how communication with family members may influence Sailor retention, how Sailors use the ease, reliability, and speed of Navy websites, and the trust Sailors have in the information provided by Navy leaders.