Public Administration ETDs

Publication Date

5-21-1970

Abstract

This study is concerned with the federal civil servant who in conjunction with the U.S. military chiefs run the day-to-day operations in military Research, Development and Testing installations. These employees are known as Technical Directors, Directors, Division Chiefs and Branch Chiefs in such installations. Two such installations were used for the comparative analysis presented in this study. One is White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, and the other is the Air Force Special Weapons Center, Kirtland Air Force Base, Albuquerque, New Mexico. The study was accomplished by using data from a three­page questionnaire completed by the executives from the two Research, Development and Testing installations mentioned above. The questionnaire covered basic characteristics, occupation, education, management training, mobility, retirement plans and views of the executives on issues about employee competence and personnel management. These data were compared against five previous studies. The findings revealed that the executives from these installations tended to be younger and were able to climb the career ladder faster than the federal civil service executives in the other U.S. agencies. Their education was most likely in the scientific and engineering field. They tended to "stay put." Over two-thirds of the executives have worked at their respective installations since they first entered civil service. This compares favorably with findings from other studies. If the executives' plans remain as the data indicated, about 35 per cent will be retiring in the next five to 10 years. This is not a very large percentage when compared with that of federal executives in general who within the next five years, over half will be eligible for retirement or will have retired. It is a number that may be used as a guide for future planning and development of potential executives for these installations. The results and conclusions of this research can only be tentatively given in hopes of showing a need for more research in the subject of this study. One method of approach is to include in the study a larger number of installations and nonsupervisory GS-12 and GS-13 personnel. These are the people who will be moving into the positions studied and something should be known about them. There were many questions that were not asked and should have been asked. From the questions that were asked, some light was shed on the role, and in turn should be of some help in planning for this role that the Research and Development executives play in the U.S. Federal Government.

Degree Name

Public Administration

Level of Degree

Masters

Department Name

School of Public Administration

First Committee Member (Chair)

Albert H. Rosenthal

Second Committee Member

Lloyd Wilber Wooruff

Third Committee Member

John Mace Hunger

Language

English

Document Type

Thesis

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