As part of a longitudinal research project to investigate attrition among female enlistees, a study was conducted to assess the differences between male and female recruits in background, occupational values, and motivation for enlistment. A sample of 1,000 men and 1,000 women was administered a questionnaire during the early weeks of recruit training. The findings (as discussed and as presented in a series of seven tables in the report) revealed the following: (1) although men and women came from different backgrounds, they enlisted for similar reasons, i.e., to make something of their lives, to acquire education and training, and to travel; (2) men had different occupational values as they were more interested in rewards such as advancement and recognition while women preferred jobs that were people-oriented and altruistic, were located in a clean, cheerful environment, and did not involve machinery or physical risk. It was concluded that the values of many of the women were not consistent with the nontraditional jobs to which they might be assigned. To attract women with compatible values, recommendations were proposed to provide the applicant pool with information about the Navy's utilization of women and to reorient recruiters. (EG)