Navy-Funded Graduate Education: Do the Navy and URL (Unrestricted Line) Officer Benefit?

Abstract : This thesis investigates the benefits of investing in graduate education which accrue to both the Navy and the unrestricted line (URL) officer. Using historical data, survivor rates and time in rank between promotions are calculated for three cohort groups (Navy-funded Master's degree, non-Navy funded Master's degree, and non-Master). Statistical models are introduced to determine whether differences in survivor rates and time in rank are significant among the three comparison groups. The results show that differences in survivor rates and time in rank are statistically significant: Navy-funded graduate degree officers tend to stay in service longer and are promoted faster than either self-funded graduate officers or non-Master's degree officers.