PERCEPTIONS OF THE U.S. MILITARY 

Table 1

 
Survey results 
Comparison of common statements 

3. The military is a great career for a young person in the United States. 
                         mean mode range 
 senior leadership 4.2   4,5   3-5 
 general public     3.3   3    2-5 
 18-24 year olds  2.6    3    2-3 

5. People in the United States respect those who serve in the military.  
 senior leadership 3.6    4     2-5 
 general public    3.6    3,4,5    3-5 
 18-24 year olds 3.2    2,4    2-4 

6. The U.S. military has a strong link to American society. 
 senior leadership 4.4    5    2-5 
 general public     3.5   2,5    2-5 
 18-24 year olds  3.2    4    1-4 

8. Jobs involving computers and technology would draw more young people into the military. 
 senior leadership 3.8    4    3-4 
 general public 4   4,5   4-5 
 18-24 year olds 3.2    4    1-5 

10. The military has lost touch with society. 
 senior leadership 2.8   1    2-5 
 general public 2.8   3,4     1-4 
 18-24 year olds 3.4    3    3-4 

11. The American people only care about their military when there is a war. 
 senior leadership 3.4   2,4    2-5 
 general public 3.7    4    2-5 
 18-24 year olds 2.8    2     2-4 

14. Young people today are too spoiled to handle the rigors of military life. 
 senior leadership 3.4   4    2-4 
 general public 3.2    4    2-4 
 18-24 year olds 1.6   1   1-3 

17. Lower standards of acceptance will solve the military’s recruiting problems.  
 senior leadership 1.6    2    1-2 
 general public 2    1    1-4 
 18-24 year olds 2.2    3,2    1-3 

18. The internet is the key to attracting young people to the military. 
 senior leadership 3   3     2-4 
 general public 2.5   2,3    2-3 
 18-24 year olds 2.6    3    1-4 
 

19. More education benefits are needed to draw young people into the military services. 
 senior leadership 3     2,4    2-4 
 general public 4.2    4    4-5 
 18-24 year olds 3.8    4    1-4 

21. The economy is too strong now for young people to consider the military as an option. 
 senior leadership 2.4    2    2-3 
 general public 3.3    4    1-4 
 18-24 year olds 3.2    3     1-5 

22. Young people in America aren’t interested in living disciplined lives. 
 senior leadership 3.2   3,4    2-4 
 general public 4    4    3-5 
 18-24 year olds 2.6    3     1-4 

23. The idea of sacrificing for your country is an out-dated concept. 
 senior leadership 2.8    2    2-4 
 general public 2.2   2    2-4 
 18-24 year olds 3    3    2-4 

 
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