The Cost Of High-Quality Recruits

Abstract

Qn the AVF period, military manpower planners and political leaders have been concerned with the "quality" of Army soldiers, as measured by Armed Forces Qualification Test scores and educational achievement. Statistical research has shown that high school graduates with above-average AFQT scores are "better" soldiers, but analytical methods employed have not allowed decision makers to gauge how much more the nati thould these better troops. Econometric estimation of the 'recruit survival function"'llows for a conceptually simple quantitative measos useful to force planners. The econometric results show that the cost of manning the Army with highquality recruits is considerably lower than simple consideration of the enlistment bonuses and pay levels required to attract them would indicate.