Description

AFNOW reports whether an individual is currently serving in the military forces of the United States (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard).

Active members of the Armed Forces are excluded from the sample of ATUS respondents. However, other members of the respondents' households may be in the military, so CPS information will be available for those persons.

Information on veteran status is also available (see VETSTAT). To identify the most recent period of service for veterans, see VETLAST. Beginning in August 2005, veterans could report up to four periods of service. See VET1, VET2, VET3, and VET4.

AFNOW along with other information on military service and veteran status was drawn from the final CPS interview, conducted 2-5 months before the ATUS interview. Veteran status and military service were not updated at the time of the ATUS interview.

Comparability

This variable is comparable across years from 2003 onward.

Universe

Availability

• 2003-2023

Flags