RAND Research Topic: Military Officers

A New Look at Gender and Minority Differences in Officer Career Progression in the Military

May 24, 2012

RAND research conducted in the late 1990s documented differences in rates of promotion and retention among male, female, white, and minority officers in the U.S. military. This volume updates the earlier RAND study, using data from January 1988 through September 2010. It also examines the career progression of women serving in military occupations that are partially closed to them.

Identifying Civilian Labor Market Realities for Army Officers Making Stay/Leave Decisions

Apr 13, 2012

This report describes the socioeconomic environment officers will encounter if they leave active-duty service and analyzes its potential impact on Army retention and how it can be effectively communicated to officers making stay/leave decisions.

The Use of Standardized Scores in Officer Career Management and Selection

Mar 8, 2012

This report provides an overview of how standardized tests are used as part of a broader selection system for each of the services at different points in an officer's career, and a discussion of key issues that should be considered when using standardized tests, including the relationship between tests and racial and ethnic group differences, which could affect minority representation within the officer corps.

Expectations About Civilian Labor Markets and Army Officer Retention

Dec 15, 2011

This monograph develops a comprehensive picture of the socioeconomic environment officers will encounter if they leave active-duty service and analyzes the potential impact of these factors on Army retention and how major differences between military and civilian employment can be effectively communicated to officers making stay/leave decisions.

Developing U.S. Army Officers' Capabilities for Joint, Interagency, Intergovernmental, and Multinational Environments

Dec 6, 2011

Identifies and describes the knowledge, skills, and abilities that enable Army officers to succeed in joint, interagency, intergovernmental, and multinational contexts.

Catalog Analyzes DoD-Sponsored Programs that Address Psychological Health

Nov 9, 2011

The U.S. Department of Defense sponsors many programs for servicemembers and their families. RAND compiled a searchable online catalog of 211 programs that address psychological health and traumatic brain injury.

Analysis and Recommendations on the Company-Grade Officer Shortfall in the Reserve Components of the U.S. Army

Jun 16, 2011

The U.S. Army National Guard and Reserve have more lieutenants but fewer captains than they are authorized to have. This monograph addresses the shortfall of captains, explores the magnitude of the shortfall, makes recommendations, and assesses the concepts of a National Guard academy and of requiring Officer Candidate School entrants to hold a four-year degree as feasible partial solutions to the shortfall.

'Rumsfeld Model' for Senior Officer Selection in Defense Department Is Focus of New Study

Jun 2, 2011

Former U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld made significant changes to the selection process for senior U.S. military officers with the goal of fostering a more long-term, holistic, and strategic approach.

'Rumsfeld Model' for Senior Officer Selection in Defense Department Is Focus of New Study

Jun 2, 2011

Year of the Air Force Family: 2009 Survey of Active-Duty Spouses

Mar 3, 2011

Air Force leaders are concerned about the well-being of airmen's families, but are the programs set up for their benefit doing enough? To find out the answers to this and other issues, the Air Force asked RAND to survey the spouses of active-duty airmen. The main concerns related to children, finances, employment, and the effects of moves and deployments. By and large, however, the families were satisfied with Air Force life.

Developing Military Health Care Leaders: Insights from the Military, Civilian, and Government Sectors

Feb 18, 2011

The current wartime environment, rising health care costs, and an increased focus on joint operations have led to recommendations for Military Health System transformation. Lessons learned in the civilian and government sectors hold importance for transforming the way in which MHS identifies and develops health care officers with high leadership potential for senior executive positions.

Developing Custodians of Care: Military Medical Leadership

Feb 18, 2011

The Military Health System faces a range of challenges, and effective leadership is key to meeting them. Approaches used by other organizations could guide improvements in how military health care leaders are selected, developed, and incentivized.

Developing U.S. Army Officers' Capabilities for Joint, Interagency, Intergovernmental, and Multinational Environments

Feb 10, 2011

Based on interviews and focus groups, this monograph identifies and describes the knowledge, skills, and abilities that enable Army officers to succeed in joint, interagency, intergovernmental, and multinational contexts. Researchers identified the kinds of assignments that develop the needed capabilities and used inventory modeling to assess the Army's ability to develop and maintain a cadre of properly qualified officers.

Options for Filling Vacant Officer Positions

Dec 20, 2010

The U.S. military services and the combatant commands have reported vacancies in funded officer billets, a situation that can have adverse effects on organizational performance and mission readiness. By examining options for using alternative mixes of military manpower, the authors conclude that there may be opportunities to better leverage enlisted personnel, warrant officers, and limited-duty officers in some billets designated for officers.

Targeting the Occupational Skill Pairings Needed in New Air Force Colonels

Oct 7, 2010

The Air Force needs to develop a second occupational competency, or paired skill, in many of its future colonels and generals. The authors report how a team of Air Force officers and RAND staff derived the minimum percentage of each occupation's future new colonels who should have each paired skill. The minimums could help occupational overseers guide appropriate numbers of officers into appropriate paired skills.

Evaluating Navy's Funded Graduate Education Program: A Return-on-Investment Framework

Aug 3, 2010

Sending officers to graduate schools is costly to the services. While officers incur specific service requirements in return, does that recoup the investment? The authors found that, in the U.S. Navy, breaking even financially is not always realistic. But the skills and general knowledge that officers gain in the process extend the value of their degrees beyond their majors, particularly in careers leading to flag rank.

Hired Guns: Views About Armed Contractors in Operation Iraqi Freedom

Jun 15, 2010

While most U.S. government officials working in Iraq believe the use of armed private security contractors has been a useful strategy, many worry that the contractors have not always had a positive effect on U.S. foreign policy objectives.

Officer Classification and the Future of Diversity Among Senior Military Leaders: A Case Study of the Army ROTC

Sep 28, 2009

The relative lack of minorities in certain military career fields has a significant impact on the diversity of the senior leadership. The relationship between career field choice, race/ethnicity, and membership in the senior officer corps appears to stem, at least in part, from racial and ethnic differences in the occupational preferences of officer cadets. The authors urge a full-scale study to learn the reasons behind these preferences.

Computer Simulation of General and Flag Officer Management: Model Description and Results

Aug 6, 2009

A RAND simulation model adapted to address general and flag officer management subject to provisions of the Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 assesses the complexity and feasibility of managing new end- and grade-strength accounting rules. The model schedules assignments, holds positions open as needed, and forecasts retirements and promotions. The results indicate that GFO end-strength management is tractable.

A Strategic Approach to Joint Officer Management: Analysis and Modeling Results

Jul 16, 2009

As part of a broader research effort examining officer education and development in joint matters, the authors use data analysis and complex modeling to identify billets that that provide and/or require joint experience; and determine whether there are sufficient numbers of officers with joint experience to fill such billets.