The effect of military enlistment on earnings and education / David S. Loughran [et al.].

Format:

Book

Government document

Contributor:

Arroyo Center.

United States. Army.

Rand Corporation.

Loughran, David S., 1969-

Series:

Technical report (Rand Corporation)

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Veterans--United States--Economic conditions.

Veterans.

Veterans--Education--United States--Statistics.

Educational attainment--United States--Statistics.

Educational attainment.

Income--United States--Statistics.

Income.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xxi, 56 pages) : color illustrations (digital, PDF file).

Place of Publication:

Santa Monica, CA : RAND Corporation, 2011.

Summary:

Each year, more than 150,000 young men and women enlist in the active component of the U.S. military. The experience of these enlistees while serving their country undoubtedly influences their long-run labor market outcomes, but exactly how is not well understood. Military service develops technical and other skills and subsidizes the cost of postsecondary education, but military experience does not perfectly substitute for civilian labor market experience. The research reported in this volume estimates, for as many as 18 years following enlistment, the causal effect of military service on labor market and educational outcomes. The authors address the empirical problems associated with the selective nature of military service by restricting their analysis to military applicants, some of whom enlist and some of whom do not, and by controlling for a rich array of applicant characteristics available on the military application record. The authors find that military enlistment increases earnings in both the short and long term: the percentage increase in earnings attributable to enlistment is about 40 percent in the first few years following application and diminishes to about 11 percent 14-18 years following application. Enlistment significantly delays college education in the short run. In the longer run, enlistment slightly increases the likelihood of attaining a two-year college degree, but it also decreases the likelihood of attaining a four-year college degree, especially among higher-aptitude youth.

Contents:

Introduction Methods and data The effect of Army enlistment on labor market earnings The effect of Army enlistment on educational attainment Conclusion

Notes:

"Prepared for the United States Army."