Determinants of Army Career Intentions
Abstract
The research models the career intentions and choice of tour length of U.S. Army recruits. We find that the reasons for enlisting can be used to create four basic motivational factors using factor analysis. These factors, in addition to a number of demographic and socioeconomic variables, appear to be significant determinants of career intentions and choice of tour length. The qualitative response models were estimated using a polynomial logit framework. The analyses suggest that motivational factors such as reasons for enlisting can be successfully incorporated into empirical models to predict career choice and other behavior. The results of this study demonstrate that the factors that motivate citizen soldiers appear to differ from the factors that motivate career soldiers. The Army may be able to use this information to design incentive programs and advertising strategies to attract various groups of potential recruits.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1985
- Accession Number
- ADA178672
Entities
People
- David K. Horne
- Mary Weltin
Organizations
- U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences