Description

For sample adults age 18 and older (and, prior to 2019, all persons age 18 and older not currently on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces), ARMFEV indicates whether the individual ever served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces, military Reserves, or National Guard.

Comparability

Prior to 2019 there are no comparability problems with ARMFEV. This variable was introduced in 2011.

Beginning in 2019, this variable was asked as two questions. The first question asked if the respondent had ever served on active duty and the second question asked if they were on active duty only for training in the Reserves or National Guard.

Prior to 2019, ARMFEV was asked as one question and specifically stated that active duty does not include training for the Reserves or National Guard, but does included activation for service in the U.S. or in a foreign country, in support of military or humanitarian operations.

IPUMS NHIS staff created a composite coding scheme to enable comparability between these two periods. Prior to 2019, respondents are coded as Yes (20) or No (10). Beginning in 2019, if a respondent had ever served on active duty and that service was not only training in the Reserves or National Guard or if the question was refused, not ascertained, or unknown whether the service was only training in the Reserves or National Guard, they were coded as Yes (20). If they had served on active duty and that service was only for training in the Reserves or National Guard, they were coded as No, active duty only for training in the Reserves or National Guard (12). If the respondent had never served on active duty, they were coded as No, never active duty (11).

The NHIS questionnaire was substantially redesigned in 2019 to introduce a different data collection structure and new content. For more information on changes in terminology, universes, and data collection methods beginning in 2019, please see the user note.

Universe

Availability

• 2011-2023

Weights

• 2011-2018 : PERWEIGHT
• 2019-2023 : SAMPWEIGHT