This thesis analyzes the factors that influence the decision of first-term Naval Veterans (NAVETs), who are eligible for reenlistment, to choose to affiliate with the Selected Reserve (SELRES). A model of the determinants of affiliation is specified and estimated using data on active Navy separations and Navy Reserve accessions during the period between 1990 and 2002. The data set analyzed the affiliation decisions of 388,637 NAVETs. Some of the features in the maximum likelihood logit model include the use of rating groups to determine differences in affiliation patterns by occupational categories, determining differences over various time periods, and looking at pay and unemployment rate elasticities across rating groups. Overall, NAVET affiliation in the SELRES is found to depend upon Reserve pay, unemployment rates, census region, gender, race, marital status, dependency status, age at time of separation from active duty, education, mental category, and Navy rating. More specifically, the findings indicate that technical ratings are more responsive to changes in pay than nontechnical ratings, while the unemployment elasticity indicates that affiliation increases with an increase in the unemployment rate. Various time periods were analyzed to determine if the drawdown years of the early 1990s differed from the rest of the sample, and to determine if differences existed during and after the 'dot.com' boom of the late 1990s. In both cases, models in the restricted period were found to be significantly different from the pooled period. Females, Blacks and Hispanics were more likely to affiliate, while those NAVETs who are married, have children, and are older are less likely to affiliate. Finally, there was a significant regional effect in the probability of affiliation.

Thesis (M.B.A.)--Naval Postgraduate School, March 2005. / Thesis Advisor(s): Stephen Mehay, Suzanne Bosque. Includes bibliographical references (p. 55-56). Also available online.

In 1938 the Canadian government approved a plan to train fishermen as naval reservists in British Columbia. The fishermen were recruited as whole crews and trained to shoot accurately, form fours, navigate, signal properly and drop depth charges – all aboard their own converted fishing vessels. On paper, and to the general public, the specialized reserve known as the Fishermen’s Reserve or “Gumboot Navy”, was a patriotic group of fishermen doing their bit and better preparing for emergencies. However, in reality, the Canadian government instituted the Fishermen’s Reserve in 1938 for a very specific reason – to round up and remove Japanese Canadians and their boats from the coast prior to the outbreak of war between Canada and Japan. This thesis explores various aspects of the Fishermen’s Reserve from 1938 to 1941 in order to better understand the Canadian Government’s wartime policies. As there are almost no secondary sources on the subject, this paper uses extensive primary sources to uncover and analyze the Royal Canadian Navy’s recruitment policy, unconventional regulations and racist underpinnings in instituting the Fishermen’s Reserve. / Graduate / 0334 / 0750 / 0740 / gregory.kier@gmail.com