Life as a Private: A Study of the Motivations and Experiences of Junior Enlisted Personnel in the U.S. Army

The U.S. Army Recruiting Command asked RAND Arroyo Center to undertake research to improve its understanding of soldiers’ motivations to join the Army, and how the reality of Army life matches up with expectations. This study’s portrayal of the U.S. Army private could serve as an educational tool for a variety of important audiences, such as Army senior leadership, junior officers, noncommissioned officers, and prospective new recruits.