This thesis investigates the effect the National and Community Service Act of 1993 will have on the Army's ability to acquire high-quality soldiers. The research shows that the Act of 1993 will attract one-third of the high-quality youth who had previously indicated a desire to serve in the Army. This equates to 24,500 of the 70,000 individuals the Army must recruit annually. The analysis includes a determination of the factors affecting the problem: (1). Young Americans willingness to serve in the Army, (2). The Army's requirement to enlist quality soldiers given the increasing technological complexity of Army weapon and support systems, (3). Targeted youth population size and quality, (4). Benefits of serving in a national service program or the Army. Career choices of the targeted youth regarding Army and National Service were analyzed in the context of the four factors affecting the problem. Money for college is the primary consideration of high-quality youth when making a career decision. The Act of 1993 provides an educational benefit nearly equal to that offered by the Army. This research shows that the majority of high-quality young people prefer national service to Army service as a means of obtaining money for college.

ADA 284708 Approved for public release; Distribution is unlimited. The opinions and conclusions expressed herein are those of the student-authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College or any other governmental agency. (References to these studies should include the foregoing statement.)