The First-Term Soldier: A Self-Portrait

The article which follows is based upon an individual study project undertaken by the author when he was a member of the US Army War College Class of 1980. During this project, the author interviewed 65 soldiers reflecting a broad diversity of branch, military job, sex, ethnic background, career orientation, and geographical area of assignment. However, no effort was made to select a statistically valid sampling or to employ modern polling techniques. The authors impressions are simply that-impressions-and should not be construed as statements of fact or scientifically arrived-at conclusions.