Adolescent Perspectives Linked to Military Readiness and Retention, Study Finds

The views and experiences of military teens influence whether their parents decide to stay in uniform, according to findings from a longitudinal War Department study.

Data from the Study of Adolescent Resilience reveal that service members are more than twice as likely to leave the military if their teenager favors separating from the service, but nearly 60% more likely to continue serving if their teenager supports their career choice.

The Department launched SOAR in 2022 as part of the Millennium Cohort Program. The research effort tracks military-connected youth, aged 11 to 17 when the study began, to examine how military life affects family stability and force readiness. It follows participants over time to better understand the factors that predict future outcomes for adolescents, families and service members.

The newest findings use information collected during the 2022-2023 school year to understand service member retention, adolescent mental health and school adjustment two years later.

“These findings reinforce what many military families and leaders have long understood: Supporting military-connected youth is not only a family issue; it is a readiness issue,” said Dr. Hope McMaster, principal investigator of the study. “SOAR provides the Department with information about the factors that strengthen resilience and identifies opportunities to support military families and retain experienced service members.”

Researchers found a close connection between the experiences of military-connected youth and service member readiness, retention and family resilience, noting that service members with a more positive view of military family support programs separated from service at lower rates.

Beyond career decisions, the report established a relationship between household finances and youth mental health. For each reported increase in the frequency of family financial strain, adolescents showed 47% higher odds of experiencing anxiety or depression two years later.

Family dynamics and social connections also predicted lower rates of emotional distress:

• Adolescents who reported clear communication and strong bonds with their parents were less likely to present with anxiety or depression two years later.
• Students who made new friends after a PCS showed a lower likelihood of subsequent depressive or anxious symptoms.
• Teens who maintained connections with military peers before moving reported better social adjustment afterward.

Department officials cited existing resources such as the School Liaison Program, youth outreach and financial counseling through Military OneSource as services addressing these areas.

“Its singular focus on military-connected youth enables us to evaluate the effectiveness of our programs to drive outcomes,” said Stephen B. Simmons, deputy assistant secretary of war for Military Community and Family Policy. “As the study continues, its growing body of data will provide an even stronger foundation for future decisions that support force readiness, family well-being and retention.”

Visit Study of Adolescent Resilience to learn more about the results.

About Military Community and Family Policy

Military Community and Family Policy is responsible for establishing and overseeing quality of life policies and programs that help our service members, their families and survivors be well and mission ready. Military OneSource is the gateway to programs and services that support the everyday needs of the over 4.3 million service members and immediate family members of the military community. Access these DOW services 24/7/365 around the world.