RECRUIT ASSESSMENT PROGRAM

BACKGROUND

The Recruit Assessment Program (RAP) is an ongoing, baseline survey of U.S. Marine recruits, administered while in Receiving Company at Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) San Diego. Data have been collected on over 250,000 recruits since 2001. By surveying recruits within days of arrival, the RAP is able to obtain information on recruits’ lives and experiences prior to military service. RAP data can be linked to other military data sources to assess how these past experiences influence future experiences, concerns, and career and health outcomes related to military readiness and resilience. This additional level of information on pre-existing health and behavioral conditions can aid in guiding policy and intervention development.

METHODS

The RAP questionnaire is administered to consenting recruits at MCRD San Diego during the first week of training.

The questionnaire was developed using standardized survey instruments and expert input
Data are identified and linkable to relevant outcomes

DOMAINS & TOPIC AREAS

Demographics	Life experiences and risky behaviors
- Individual - Military specific - Family	- Sleep, TV, and diet - Sexual behaviors - Anger - Traumatic experiences - Adverse childhood experiences (ACES) - Prior occupational exposures
Health
- Physical - Mental - Medical care
• Substance use
- Alcohol - Tobacco

STRENGTHS

More than 250,000 Marine participants
Creation of a health, behavior, and exposure baseline for each Marine
High participation rate
High utility (linkable to any outcome)
Able to evaluate military readiness and resilience
Can be used to target interventions

SAMPLE CHARACTERISTICS

Average age is 19 years old
Most joined to serve their country (67%) and for education and job skills (62%)
Many come from military families – 24% have a parent who served
Low level of reported mental health concerns
1% report possible depression
4% report problematic anger
5% report symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
High levels of social support
95% have at least one support person
Substance use
21% have ever smoked
10% have signs of significant alcohol use

Bureau of Medicine and Surgery
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General Navy Medical Inquiries (to Bureau of Medicine and Surgery): usn.ncr.bumedfchva.mbx.bumed-general-inquiries@health.mil