Career Outcome and Lifespan of 6 Classes of Annapolis and West Point graduates: causation and selection/drift effects

Background: Among military officers, as in many comparable civilian settings, a higher final rank usually is associated with a higher life expectancy. Mainly two alternative explanations have to be considered: causation: material and immaterial benefits of a higher rank in active service and thereafter may cause life to last longer. selection/drift: individuals with a robust health may have a greater chance to make it to the top ranks. Data and Methods: We study graduates of classes 1949, 1950, 1951 of the US Naval Academy at Annapolis (n = 2206) and the US Military Academy at West Point (n = 1714), with app. 40…