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Pathways to the All-Volunteer Military
Glen H Elder1, Lin Wang, Naomi J Spence
1The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Social Science Quarterly
|October 1, 2011
Summary
Young men from disadvantaged backgrounds with few social ties and behavioral issues are more likely to join the military than pursue college or jobs. This highlights military service as a key opportunity for less advantaged males.
Area of Science:
- Sociology
- Military studies
- Adolescent psychology
Background:
- Investigates pathways for young men into military service versus higher education and employment.
- Examines the influence of socioeconomic status, social integration, and behavioral conduct on career choices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To understand how disadvantaged backgrounds, social isolation, and behavioral problems direct young men toward military enlistment.
- To analyze the factors influencing the decision of young men to join the all-volunteer military over college or the labor market.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from three waves of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health in the United States.
- Analyzed a sample of 6,938 males (white, black, and other) to identify patterns in career trajectories.
Main Results:
- Young men with disadvantaged backgrounds, minimal social connectedness, and a history of fighting showed the highest propensity for military service.
- These factors were significant predictors of military enlistment compared to pursuing college or entering the labor force.
Conclusions:
- Findings underscore the role of post-high school opportunities in incentivizing military service for less advantaged young men.
- Suggests that accessible educational and career pathways are crucial for shaping post-adolescent choices in the all-volunteer military era.
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