Examining the Relationship Between Undergraduate Education and Performance, Misconduct and Retention in Active Duty U.S. Marine Corps Personnel

Abstract

There are limited studies on the impact of education on service member performance, and almost zero research on the impact education has on enlisted service members. The Commandant of the Marine Corps has made better talent management the focus of the Marine Corps. This research is to determine if enlisted Marines with a bachelor’s degree or higher in their first contract outperform their peers over the course of their careers. This MBA project uses data on Marines from 2005–2020. Regression analyses were used to determine the impact that education has on the performance of enlisted service members, using physical fitness scores, fitness report averages, misconduct, and retention as outcome variables. Models controlled for AFQT, gender, race/ethnicity, and first PFT scores. Results supported the hypothesis of education being positively associated with performance. Generally, if a Marine had a bachelor’s degree by the end of their first contract, they had significantly higher fitness report averages and physical fitness test averages, were less likely to have misconduct charges, and had a higher probability of retention. Based on these preliminary findings, it is recommended that strategic changes be considered to increase the opportunities for education of the enlisted ranks.