A Study of the Implications of Commissioning Source on Army Officer Expectations of Organizational Reality

Realistic job preview studies have consistently shown that when individuals enter an organization with realistic expectations there is a reduction in voluntary turnover. The main objective of this study was to determine whether the United States Armys three commissioning sources were addressing the voluntary turnover problem by adequately preparing their members for the realities of organizational life. This study was cross-sectional in design and involved participants from the United States Military Academy USMA, the Officer Candidate School OCS, the University of South Carolina Reserve Officer Training Course ROTC, the Infantry Officer Basic Course IOBC and a separate Infantry Brigade. Commissioning source and officer basic course member expectations of job satisfaction, military environment and task dimensions of work, were measured and compared with the reality reported for these dimensions by the Infantry Brigade respondents. Officer preparation strengths and weaknesses were assessed and recommendations for improvement were made. It was concluded that the commissioning sources can better prepare future officers for the realities of organizational life.