Why Fighter Pilots are Leaving the Swedish Armed Forces – and how to Retain them
The number of fighter pilots in Sweden retiring from service, many prematurely, currently exceeds the number of those being trained to replace them. This article examines the factors and circumstances related to the work motivation of pilots and what the Swedish Armed Forces (SAF) can do to retain t...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Scandinavian Military Studies
2022-11-01
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| Series: | Scandinavian Journal of Military Studies |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://sjms.nu/articles/135 |
| _version_ | 1797980860736077824 |
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| author | Sophie Bosdotter Tommy Wellborg Johan Sandström |
| author_facet | Sophie Bosdotter Tommy Wellborg Johan Sandström |
| author_sort | Sophie Bosdotter |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The number of fighter pilots in Sweden retiring from service, many prematurely, currently exceeds the number of those being trained to replace them. This article examines the factors and circumstances related to the work motivation of pilots and what the Swedish Armed Forces (SAF) can do to retain them. It examines the perspectives of fighter pilots serving today and those who have chosen to leave the SAF since 2013, providing descriptions of different ideal professional types and what might provoke them to leave the profession, or motivate them to stay longer. Four ideal types of pilots are identified. These ideal types are (a) the 'extrinsically motivated'; (b) the 'high-performing'; (c) the 'family-oriented'; and (d) the 'specialist'. This article supports the idea that there is no single inducement for fighter pilots to leave the SAF. Our recommendations for retaining pilots differ depending on type and experience level. While increased salaries and better retirement agreements are essential, local career opportunities, less time away from family, more administrative support to squadrons, long-term career planning, rewarding challenges, and opportunities to study are also important. Some uniquely positive aspects, such as serving a higher purpose, flying experiences, and squadron community, motivate fighter pilots to remain. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T06:00:26Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-03eac9bd378b46739d027830a67f0e2b |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2596-3856 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T06:00:26Z |
| publishDate | 2022-11-01 |
| publisher | Scandinavian Military Studies |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scandinavian Journal of Military Studies |
| spelling | doaj.art-03eac9bd378b46739d027830a67f0e2b2022-12-22T04:41:40ZengScandinavian Military StudiesScandinavian Journal of Military Studies2596-38562022-11-015110.31374/sjms.13598Why Fighter Pilots are Leaving the Swedish Armed Forces – and how to Retain themSophie Bosdotter0Tommy Wellborg1Johan Sandström2Sweden Defence UniversitySweden Defence UniversityLuleå University of TechnologyThe number of fighter pilots in Sweden retiring from service, many prematurely, currently exceeds the number of those being trained to replace them. This article examines the factors and circumstances related to the work motivation of pilots and what the Swedish Armed Forces (SAF) can do to retain them. It examines the perspectives of fighter pilots serving today and those who have chosen to leave the SAF since 2013, providing descriptions of different ideal professional types and what might provoke them to leave the profession, or motivate them to stay longer. Four ideal types of pilots are identified. These ideal types are (a) the 'extrinsically motivated'; (b) the 'high-performing'; (c) the 'family-oriented'; and (d) the 'specialist'. This article supports the idea that there is no single inducement for fighter pilots to leave the SAF. Our recommendations for retaining pilots differ depending on type and experience level. While increased salaries and better retirement agreements are essential, local career opportunities, less time away from family, more administrative support to squadrons, long-term career planning, rewarding challenges, and opportunities to study are also important. Some uniquely positive aspects, such as serving a higher purpose, flying experiences, and squadron community, motivate fighter pilots to remain.https://sjms.nu/articles/135work motivationarmed forcesjob satisfactionswedenretentionfighter pilot |
| spellingShingle | Sophie Bosdotter Tommy Wellborg Johan Sandström Why Fighter Pilots are Leaving the Swedish Armed Forces – and how to Retain them Scandinavian Journal of Military Studies work motivation armed forces job satisfaction sweden retention fighter pilot |
| title | Why Fighter Pilots are Leaving the Swedish Armed Forces – and how to Retain them |
| title_full | Why Fighter Pilots are Leaving the Swedish Armed Forces – and how to Retain them |
| title_fullStr | Why Fighter Pilots are Leaving the Swedish Armed Forces – and how to Retain them |
| title_full_unstemmed | Why Fighter Pilots are Leaving the Swedish Armed Forces – and how to Retain them |
| title_short | Why Fighter Pilots are Leaving the Swedish Armed Forces – and how to Retain them |
| title_sort | why fighter pilots are leaving the swedish armed forces and how to retain them |
| topic | work motivation armed forces job satisfaction sweden retention fighter pilot |
| url | https://sjms.nu/articles/135 |
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