Age

As Table 8.1 shows, respondents to the Advertising Tracking Study, between 15 and 17 years old, were more likely to indicate that they would enlist than 18 to 21 year-old respondents, consistent with previous propensity research. The difference between these age groups decreased slightly after September 2001, as younger respondents were less likely than before to express a positive propensity for military service, and their older counterparts were slightly more likely to respond favorably toward the Services than prior to the attacks. In addition, younger respondents indicated a slightly more positive effect of the attacks on the likelihood that they would consider military service compared to the older group, as shown in Figure 8.2. Specifically 71 percent of respondents between 15 and 17 years old indicated a positive effect or no effect of the events, while 66 percent of older respondents made a similar indication. There was no evidence that these judgments varied with time.

Figure 8.2.  Positive or neutral effects of September 11^th attacks on military propensity, by age group.

previous | next