Factors affecting recruitment and retention of specialist officers in the Swedish Armed Forces: A longitudinal cohort study

Specialist officers (SOs) (OR 6–9) are a key category of the Swedish Armed Forces (SAF). This study aimed to identify factors affecting the recruitment and retention of this key category. A longitudinal study design was chosen; interviews comprising a cohort of 20 persons were conducted during three successive years. A part of the analysis focussed on the development of organisational commitment over time. The major findings included that high organisational commitment counteracted negative factors such as low wages and limited career opportunities. However, there was serious concern regarding the long-term prospects of military employment. Overall, high affective commitment was found to be the most important contributing factor, even extending to those leaving the military. SOs were largely content with their choice of career; they considered the work as tactic officers (OF) as bureaucratic and unattractive.