CAREER INFORMATION AND GUIDANCE SYSTEMS TO ENHANCE RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION OF ROTC CADETS FOR ARMY CAREERS

CAREER INFORMATION AND GUIDANCE SYSTEMS ARE ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT IN AFFECTING THE PERCEPTIONS OF CAREERS AND DECISIONS INDIVIDUALS MAKE REGARDING THE CAREER DIRECTIONS THAT THEY PURSUE. THE POSITIVE PERCEPTION OF A CAREER AS AN ARMY OFFICER CAN GREATLY ENHANCE THE POSSIBILITIES OF ATTRACTING AND RETAINING OUR MOST OUTSTANDING AND CAPABLE YOUTH TO THE ROTC PROGRAM. THE PROPOSED EFFORT INVESTIGATES THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN NUMEROUS CAREER FACTORS AND THE PERCEPTIONS AND ATTITUDES OF A CAREER AS AN ARMY OFFICER. CAREER INFORMATION POSSESSED AND DESIRED AS WELL AS THE CREDIBILITY OF SOURCES AND PREFERRED METHODS OF PRESENTATION ARE ASSESSED USING ROTC AND NON-ROTC COLLEGE STUDENTS AND COLLEGE BOUND HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS WHO CHOOSE AND DO NOT CHOOSE TO PARTICIPATE IN ROTC. INSTRUMENTATION AND METHODOLOGY WILL BE DEVELOPED TO PERMIT INVESTIGATION OF CAREER VARIABLES AT PERIODIC INTERVALS IN ORDER TO EXAMINE CHANGING ATTITUDES AND PERCEPTIONS TOWARD THE MILITARY. THIS WILL EVENTUALLY ALLOW FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF CAREER INFORMATION MATERIALS FOR RECRUITING STUDENTS AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF CAREER GUIDANCE SYSTEMS FOR COUNSELING ROTC CADETS.