In uniform without commitment? Generational factors contributing to quiet quitting from military service

The phenomenon of quiet quitting has been the subject of focused analysis for several years, serving as a starting point for a deeper understanding of contemporary employment mechanisms.In the context of the Polish Armed Forces, as a public institution with a missiondriven character, this issue takes on particular significance, affecting morale, operational effectiveness, and personnel stability.The aim of the conducted research was to identify and monitor indicators that support the strengthening of soldier engagement in service.These studies not only enhance the understanding of organizational loyalty mechanisms within the military but also enable the diagnosis of potential risks associated with psychological disengagement from service.Design/methodology/approach: The article presents the results of empirical studies conducted in 2019/2020 and 2023, aimed at identifying factors that may contribute to the phenomenon of quiet quitting in the military.Findings: A comparative analysis revealed a high degree of consistency in the cluster structure of resignation reasons, independent of generational affiliation.The factors were categorized into two groups: those related to the employer and those related to the nature of the work.The results confirm that the decision to continue military service depends not only on financial aspects, but also on a sense of purpose, available career paths, the quality of interpersonal relationships, and the alignment of organizational values with individual attitudes and generational expectations.The identified indicators provide a foundation for designing effective human resource management strategies in the military, particularly in the context of increasing security threats and the need to maintain a high level of personnel engagement. Research limitations/implications: Due to the non-representative nature of the research sample, the results have limited generalizability. Social implications:The obtained results were analyzed with consideration of generational differences among the surveyed soldiers, which led to the rejection of the hypothesis that the reasons for leaving military service vary depending on generational affiliation (Generations X, Y, Z). Originality/value:The research findings hold both cognitive and practical value.They enhance the understanding of the psychosocial determinants behind decisions to leave military service, which in turn may inform the development of effective human resource management strategies within the armed forces.