Youth Attitude Tracking Study In-Depth Interviews: Youth Knowledge About Military Life

摘要

The primary focus of the annual Youth Attitude Tracking Study (YATS) is a measure called propensity, which is the stated likelihood that a youth will enlist in the military in the next few years. This measure has been used since 1975 to evaluate the potential supply of recruiting candidates. The YATS In- Depth Follow-up Interview Study was designed to explore two areas related to propensity: the context and process of young men 5 career decisions, and the specific consideration of military enlistment as a career choice. The investigation of these areas was implemented through development of a 45-minute structured interview, to be conducted over the telephone. Interviews were conducted by telephone to a national sample of youth balanced across regions and urban, suburban and rural environments. The 1996 YATS In-Depth Interview protocol included a set of short-response questions asked at the end of the interview designed to determine whether young people have accurate information concerning military service. Topics included distinctions between Active and Reserve duty, military pay and benefits, and the nature of military jobs. Respondents were told that these questions required only their best guess and that the interviewer would proceed quickly through the list of questions.