Who Are the Recruits? The Demographic Characteristics of U.S. Military Enlistment, 2003–2005

The Heritage Foundation ^ | October 27, 2006 | Tim Kane, Ph.D

[TomGuy]

Center for Data Analysis Report #06-09

The current findings show that the demo­graphic characteristics of volunteers have contin­ued to show signs of higher, not lower, quality.

{snip}

Given the nature of the military rank structure, most enlisted recruits do not have a college edu­cation or degree. Members of the armed forces with higher education are more often commis­sioned officers (lieutenant and above). In 2004, 92.1 percent of active-duty officer accessions held baccalaureate degrees or higher.[5] From 2000 to 2005, between 10 percent and 17 percent of active-duty officer accessions held advanced degrees, and between 35 percent and 45 percent of the active-duty officer corps held advanced degrees.[6] This indicates that officers continued their educa­tion during the course of their mili­tary service.

Many enlisted personnel are drawn to the benefits offered by the armed forces that allow them to obtain funding for college. In recent years, incentives to join the military have increased, providing more of the enlisted recruits with additional resources to finance their education. Although only about 7 percent of recruits for 2003–2005 entered the military with some college experi­ence, over 11 percent of the 2004 active component enlisted force had some college experience.[7]

Additionally, in the most recent edition of Population Representation in the Military Services, the Department of Defense reported that the mean reading level of 2004 recruits is a full grade level higher than that of the comparable youth population.[8] Fewer than 2 percent of wartime recruits have no high school creden­tials. Table 2 shows the breakdown for the educational attainment of the war­time recruit cohorts. The national high school graduation rate taken from the Census 2004 ACS is 79.8 percent.

[Enterprise]

Bump

[tanuki]

Like, we're at war. Why couldn't and wouldn't our best and brightest figure it out and decide to defend their country? Am I missing something?

[CottShop]

One sad fact though is that during Nam- somethign like 24% of IVY league students signed up for the war, but now, less than 1% of IVY league students go to the military- there simply is no more pride in our nation amoung IVY leaguers (liberal ones that is- that's not to take away from the brave 1% who have answered the call- we thank you)

Christian news and commentary at: sacredscoop.com ...

[Peach]

hmm. I don't know. Kerry volunteered to go to Vietnam, didn't he?

[AIC]

No, sorry, he did not volunteer to go to Viet Nam. He was at the wrong place at the wrong time commanding a small boat and was ordered along with other small boat commanders to go to Viet Nam.

[napscoordinator]

I am not even upset with the 99 percent who don't join the military from the Ivy League schools. What upsets me is that they have a foul look at us like we are lower than even pond scum. That is what is depressing. If they would just look at us like people who love serving there country that would be helpful and encouraging.

[dakine]

I hated schoolwork...that's why I enlisted...

[CSM]

Thanks for posting this, I just saw the link on Boortz and was planning to. Just don't question JFnK's patriotism!

[CottShop]

I hear ya- I can't serve due to dissability, but I absolutely wanted to and tried to before I started getting sick, and I get just as disgusted at those who spit in the faces of the military like John Kerry and his ilk did. But do know that there are REAL people all over this country that appreciate your service from the bottoms of our hearts- Samll towns that I've lived in usually show a fierce dedication to service people. The local Lions Club here in town has been protesting the war & while they get a few supporters, most people I speak to can't stand their presence and have quit donating to them as a result.

Christian news and commentary at: sacredscoop.com ...

[rhema]

BUMP

[justshutupandtakeit]

My boy is a Navy Nuke entered with a BA in Computer Science. He is MUCH smarter than that boob. Of course, my pocket lint is too.

[justshutupandtakeit]

Actually Lurch was trying to avoid active service by joining the Reserves. Then the Reserves got called up, heh heh heh.