Patterns and Trends in Propensity to Enlist in the Military: Findings from the 1989 Youth Attitude Tracking Study 2
Abstract
This report examined the expressed propensity of young people to enlist in the active Military Services and Reserve Components of the Armed Forces. Data were drawn primarily from the 1989 (Youth Attitude Tracking Study(YATS), a 30-minute, computer-assisted telephone interview that is conducted each fall. Over 11,000 16 to 24-year old American men and women, representing a population of nearly 4.8 million, were interviewed. The aptitude by race/ethnicity interaction indicated higher propensity among those with lower aptitude and a pattern of declining propensity as aptitude increased. The rate of decline was greater, however, for Blacks than for whites or Hispanics. Thus, Blacks with higher aptitude were less likely to be favorable toward military service than those from other race/ethnicity groups. Further examination of the effects of aptitude indicated little variation with age but substantial variation with race/ethnicity. For both males and females, whites were over two times more likely to score in the higher aptitude range than were Blacks and over one and a halftimes more likely than were Hispanics. Keywords: Recruiting, Minorities; Women; Ethnic groups.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1990
- Accession Number
- ADA229136
Entities
People
- Barbara J. York
- Rick L. Williams
- Robert F. Helms
- Robert M. Bray
- Thomas R. Curtin
Organizations
- RTI International