Subgroup Differences in Military-Related Perceptions and Attitudes. Implications for ROTC Recruitment

Abstract

Abstract : A survey of 931 freshman and sophomore ROTC cadets and non-cadet students was conducted to provide (a) input to a national advertising campaign for ROTC, and (b) information to ROTC regional commands and Professors of Military Science. Data were cross tabulated according to ROTC membership, race, and sex. Subgroups were quite similar except in family income and type of home community. White non-ROTC students reported the highest family income, and black ROTC cadets the lowest. The overall favorite TV shows were Mork and Mindy, MASH, and 60 Minutes. The favorite radio programming was FM and rock. More ROTC cadets majored in physical/biological sciences, and engineering. About 16% of the cadets gave 'military officer' as their first career choice. A higher percentage of cadets than non-cadets reported that people were influential on their decision to join ROTC, whereas more non-ROTC students reported that their personal beliefs and career goals were influential in their decision not to join ROTC. The majority of cadets had decided to join ROTC while still in high school.