Assessment of Attitudes and Motivations of Category IV Marginal Personnel: Demographic Characteristics, Attitudes and Personal Adjustments During Recruit Training
Abstract
The purpose of the research is to identify the motivational behavioral and attitudinal characteristics of Category IV marginal personnel and ascertain how these characteristics assist in adapting to the Navy while determining if Navy experiences prepare these men for the 'civilian world'. The report presents results of two attitudinal assessments made upon entry and completion of recruit training. The study group of 1,837 enlisted men consists of 1,340 Upper Category IV and 497 Lower Category IV men. The total cohort has a median age of 18.5 and mean AFQT score of 19. Demographic results parallel other research findings as to: the large family sizes, disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds, ethnic composition and unskilled character of family occupational history. Category IV men joined the Navy because they saw it as more of a personally rewarding environment than civilian life. These men primarily joined to obtain technical training. However, wanting to travel, obtain time to resolve their lives, serve one's country and not wait until drafted also strongly affected enlistment decisions. Men thought that in the Navy they could do the work they liked best, work on important jobs and obtain fairer treatment. Lower Category IV men seem to be more drawn to the Navy and besides are more satisfied with recruit training than Upper Category IV men. At entry into the Navy, Category IV men were socially interactive, self-confident and self-assertive but pessimistically viewed their future expectations. About 25% feel unqualified for the general apprenticeship they received; 49% said it was not the one they wanted. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1971
- Accession Number
- AD0729250
Entities
People
- Aaron Katz
- Milton R. Goldsamt