Influence of heterogeneous edge weights on assortative mixing patterns in military personnel networks

A toy model to examine the effect of a heterogeneous edge weight structure on assortative mixing patterns is developed. This model is used as a benchmark to assess assortative mixing patterns in a real military personnel network describing occupation changes among recruits to the Canadian Armed Forces. Mixing patterns on the network suggest a strong tendency for members to transfer between different occupation groups; possible areas on which to focus retention strategies are identified.