While 1999 results show some increase in propensity over the past few years, propensity was still lower than before the end of the Cold War. Thus, recruiting high-quality youth into the armed forces will continue to be a challenge. Regardless of their propensity for military service, YATS respondents are asked to provide, in their own words, reasons for joining and not joining the military. Most young men and women see postsecondary education as the key to prosperity and job security in America. The percent of youth going to college is increasing, and YATS results show that young people are aware that the military offers money for a college education.
Educational funding is the most frequently cited reason for enlisting.
Many young people have the will and the talent for college, but lack the funds. For many non-college bound youth, military service offers an opportunity for job experience and specialized training. In 1999, job training and experience were listed as the second most frequent reason for joining the military-behind money for college. Twenty-four percent of men and 17 percent of women mentioned job training and experience as a reason for entering service. Other reasons for joining were mentioned much less frequently.