Introduction
The USCG Women's Leadership Initiative (WLI), assisted by a team of USCGA cadets and with support from the USCGA Alumni Association, is seeking to understand reservists' experiences in the Coast Guard. We invite reservists of all genders, both enlisted members and officers, to share your perspectives on why reservists leave active-duty service or would consider leaving the Coast Guard and what motivates them to stay. Current reservists, as well as former reservists who are now employed by the Coast Guard (AD, GS, or NAF) may participate. Contractors are not eligible. We thank you for your participation and look forward to your response.
Please read the Informed Consent message below and choose "I agree" to continue to the survey. Your participation in this study is voluntary. Please direct questions to Dr. Elise Jones at elise.b.jones@uscga.edu about anything you do not understand before deciding whether to participate. If you choose to participate, you must click "Submit" on the last page of the survey for your responses to be recorded.
Purpose of the study
Previous research conducted with active-duty Coast Guard members has suggested several factors that contribute to members' departure from the Coast Guard. This study extends this work by seeking to understand reasons for which reservists have left active-duty service or would consider leaving the Coast Guard, as informed by the findings of the 2019 women's retention study conducted by the RAND Corporation. This approach will inform policy recommendations that make the Coast Guard more inclusive for all members, while ensuring attention to those that impact women, who leave the Coast Guard at higher rates than men.
Please read the Informed Consent message below and choose "I agree" to continue to the survey. Your participation in this study is voluntary. Please direct questions to Dr. Elise Jones at elise.b.jones@uscga.edu about anything you do not understand before deciding whether to participate. If you choose to participate, you must click "Submit" on the last page of the survey for your responses to be recorded.
Purpose of the study
Previous research conducted with active-duty Coast Guard members has suggested several factors that contribute to members' departure from the Coast Guard. This study extends this work by seeking to understand reasons for which reservists have left active-duty service or would consider leaving the Coast Guard, as informed by the findings of the 2019 women's retention study conducted by the RAND Corporation. This approach will inform policy recommendations that make the Coast Guard more inclusive for all members, while ensuring attention to those that impact women, who leave the Coast Guard at higher rates than men.
Procedures
If you agree to participate in this study, you will be asked to respond to questions about your experiences with issues that impact members' retention in the Coast Guard. You will also be asked to provide demographic information about yourself. Completing the survey will take about 20 minutes. You may skip any question you prefer not to answer, other than those used to cater the survey items to your situation.
Potential risks and discomforts
The study does not involve any more risk than you would encounter in a typical day. The study may include risks that are unknown at this time.
Anticipated benefits to subjects
There is no direct benefit to you through your involvement in this study. However, you may appreciate the opportunity to reflect on your own experiences and to contribute to research efforts that may positively impact Coast Guard policies and practices.
Payment for and costs of participation
No compensation will be provided for participation in this study. There is no cost to you to participate.
Confidentiality
Participation in this survey is anonymous. Please do not provide any information that would identify you or others in your responses to open-ended questions.
Participation and withdrawal
Your participation in this research is voluntary. Choosing not to participate will not affect your relationship with WLI or with the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. If you decide to participate, you are free to exit the survey and withdraw from the study at any time without submitting your responses.
Rights of research subjects
You do not waive any legal claims, rights, or remedies by participating in this research study. If you have questions regarding your rights as a research subject, you may contact Dr. Elise Jones of the USCGA Management Department at elise.b.jones@uscga.edu or Dr. Leonard Giambra, USCGA Director of Institutional Research, at leonard.m.giambra@uscg.mil.