RECRUITING EFFECTIVENESS OF THE ASVAB CAREER EXPLORATION PROGRAM

To assess the recruiting effectiveness of the Department of Defense's Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) Career Exploration Program, a variety of sources, including historical databases, surveys , and interviews, were used. Despite downsizing and reductions in recr uiting resources over the course of the evaluation period, there is ev idence that a higher percentage of program participants subsequently e nlist than the U.S. youth population as a whole. The overwhelming majo rity of a sample of recruiters rated the program as an important lead source as well as an effective recruiting tool. Data indicate that 16% to 25% of annual enlistments started as ASVAB program leads. The prog ram influences young people's consideration of the military as a caree r and creates a positive impression of the military, regardless of whe ther a participant decides to enlist. Although there is evidence that the ASVAB program enhances recruiting, obstacles to its effectiveness include recruiter training deficiencies.