Implementing Dynamic Discrete Choice Models of Military Retention

This paper presents a dynamic discrete choice (DDC) model designed to analyze the causal effects of military personnel policies on service member retention. While analyses of military manpower and personnel issues can benefit greatly from DDC models, many traditional models are simplistic and rely on methods that are limited in their capacity to account for all relevant aspects of service members’ decision making. The DDC model described here is more complex and realistic, and therefore can better inform policy decisions.