Determinants of youth predisposition to military engagement

Abstract

In a global context, contemporary social, economic, and technological changes give particular importance to the issue of youth engagement in the military institution. The main objective of this research is to examine young people’s perceptions of the military institution and their willingness to pursue a military career. To this end, we carried out a quantitative study based on a survey research method. The findings first reveal a relative willingness among young people to consider possible military engagement: six out of ten young people report that they could envisage pursuing a career in the armed forces one day. Second, the typological analysis identified three distinct profiles of young people regarding their disposition toward military engagement; “the reluctant group”, “the potential group” and, finally, “the tent group available for being hired”. Military leaders could rely on this typology to target the potential group which represents approximately 41% of the survey respondents. With suitable encouragement and better access to information, these individuals may be more inclined to pursue a military career.