Retention in Slovenian Armed Forces

General information

Code: ZA KADR SV23
Period: 3.1.2024 - 31.12.2025
Project leader at FDV: prof.dr. Janja Vuga Beršnak
External project leader: Fakulteta za družbene vede Univerze v Ljubljani
Co-financiers: Ministrstvo za obrambo Republike Slovenije. 
Research activity: Defence studies

Abstract

The objective of the proposed project is twofold: firstly, to undertake a comprehensive review of the current situation in the field of retention and departures from the SAF; and secondly, to identify and propose contextually appropriate measures for retention at different levels.In undertaking this project, the focus will be on the category of soldier, as it is among them that the greatest need for retention is identified. The research design will be mixed-methods, incorporating qualitative methods for instrument development and quantitative methods for testing presence, strength, and causal links.The research process will be segmented into phases, with the objective that certain phases will yield partial results that will inform subsequent actions.A key objective of the project is to propose concrete and appropriate measures for the macro-systemic and micro levels of the work environment and the family.
Link to the project website: https://slovenian-research.eu/index.php/retention-in-the-slovenian-armed-forces/

The phases of the project and their realization

In the initial phase, a systematic review of the international and Slovenian literature will be conducted, along with an analysis of the extant knowledge regarding the challenges associated with departures from the armed forces and the retention of personnel. Adhering to the standards of scientific research, this analysis will be adapted to align with the specific requirements of the applied project. Building on the insights gleaned from this analysis, we will devise a measurement instrument to undertake a cross-sectional study of staff follow-up in the initial year, through a process of operationalisation.This measurement instrument will also be utilised for the follow-up of all employees following their enrolment in the SAF, thereby enabling the SAF to monitor expectations and satisfaction. The initial group to be the focus of this study will be SAF members in their first year of employment, as the MoD DOS data demonstrate that a significant number of individuals depart from the SAF during this period.The survey, which will be grounded in a pre-designed and theoretically substantiated model, will be administered to SAF members at key stages: (a) immediately prior to the commencement of the TVSU; (b) during the final third of the TVSU; and (c) a few months after the conclusion of the TVSU, i.e. within the unit.In addition to the administration of surveys, focus groups will be conducted with members and instructors.
3. The second group to be studied will consist of former members who have separated from the SAF.The findings of the first phases will be used to design a qualitative measurement instrument for in-depth interviews. The latter will shed light on the actual reasons for leaving the SAF, which may range from macro social conditions (e.g. favourable labour market, perceived increased risk due to the war in Ukraine, etc.) to micro family (e.g. overwhelming family demands) and work (e.g. dissatisfaction with relationships) environments, as well as possible individual reasons (e.g. perceived military service as too demanding, injuries, health problems, old age, etc.). The manner in which challenges are addressed and retention mechanisms vary depending on the level from which the factors originate and their nature.
4. The integration of these elements will form a model of risk factors for leaving military service, which will serve as the foundation for the development of a measurement instrument for the early identification of risk factors for leaving military service in the quantitative part of the study.The questionnaire, which will be designed to encompass all perceived risk factors for leaving the SAF, will be made available to the SAF for regular monitoring of these factors and for the timely implementation of appropriate measures. The instrument will be utilised in the third study group, i.e. SAF servicemen and women, to test the presence of risk factors for leaving the SAF and protective factors, and to test the strength of the influence on the intention to leave the SAF by multivariate analysis. Based on the findings, proposals will be formulated to address the identified factors at different socio-ecological levels.Factors originating from macro social or macro systemic reasons should be addressed differently than those originating from individual or micro family circumstances. Concurrently, retention strategies will be developed and implemented within the military organisation itself.
6. Dissemination: The results of the study will be disseminated through various channels. These include presentations at the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Slovenia and the Slovenian Armed Forces, as well as at scientific conferences. The findings will also be published in a special issue or article of the journal Contemporary Military Challenges, along with other appropriate avenues.

Researchers

The Defence Research Centre: Janja Vuga Beršnak, Jelena Juvan, Ljubica Jelušič and Gašper Ferme. The Centre for Methodology and Informatics: Bojana Lobe. The Centre for the Study of Organisations and Human Resources: Andrej Kohont.

Key words

institutional support, military organization, motivation, retention, risk and protective factors, social support, socio-ecological modelling

Sustainable Development Goals

SDG3 | Good health and well-being
SDG5 | Gender equality
SDG8 | Decent work and economic growth
SDG16 | Peace, justice and strong intitutions