Henry A. Leonard

Senior International/Defense Researcher

Washington Office

Education

M.P.A. in economics and public policy, Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, Princeton University; B.S. in engineering, United States Military Academy, West Point

Media Resources

This researcher is available for interviews.

To arrange an interview, contact the RAND Office of Media Relations at (310) 451-6913, or email media@rand.org.

More Experts

Overview

Henry "Chip" Leonard is a senior international/defense researcher at the RAND Corporation who served for more than 27 years as an Army officer; half of that time was with tactical units, including seven years of direct command experience. In addition, he served in key operational staff positions at the battalion, brigade, division, and corps levels. He has served in Vietnam and in Germany. His experience in operational and strategic planning includes tours with the Army staff, the Office of the Secretary of Defense, and the Joint Staff.

Since joining RAND in 1998, Leonard has been involved with projects examining the Army’s manpower, unit training, leader development, training resource management, and officer and NCO career management programs. He is currently engaged in supporting Defense Institution Capacity Building programs, consulting with officials in the ministries of defense and armed forces of several foreign nations. Leonard earned his M.P.A. in economics and public policy at the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, Princeton University.

Research Focus

Previous Positions

27-year Army career with seven years of direct command experience

Recent Projects

Consultations with foreign defense ministries and armed forces
Means for assessing and portraying strategic military readiness
Military professional development
SOF and conventional forces interdependence
Research on trends in Army units' proficiency in warfighting tasks and skills

Publications

Report
A Stated Preference Analysis of the Determinants of Unit and Soldier Operational Effectiveness
The authors assess the relative importance of component status relative to a number of potential determinants of operational effectiveness, including but not limited to unit type, training level, experience in country, and associated costs and risk.
May 13, 2019
Report
Tour Lengths, Permanent Changes of Station, and Alternatives for Savings and Improved Stability
This study examined the workings of U.S. Department of Defense permanent change of station programs to determine the potential for savings that could accrue by increasing the amount of time between moves.
Feb 8, 2016
Report
A Preliminary Assessment of the Regionally Aligned Forces (RAF) Concept's Implications for Army Personnel Management
RAND Arroyo Center explored how the U.S. Army might need to adapt its personnel management policies and practices to support the Regionally Aligned Forces concept.
Nov 11, 2015
Report
Building Toward an Unmanned Aircraft System Training Strategy
This report develops a general concept for training military forces in employment of unmanned aircraft systems and a framework for addressing training requirements and discusses the limits of existing infrastructure in supporting UAS training.
Jul 28, 2014
Research Brief
Developing U.S. Army Officers' Capabilities for Joint, Interagency, Intergovernmental, and Multinational Environments
Identifies and describes the knowledge, skills, and abilities that enable Army officers to succeed in joint, interagency, intergovernmental, and multinational contexts.
Dec 6, 2011
Report
Developing U.S. Army Officers' Capabilities for Joint, Interagency, Intergovernmental, and Multinational Environments
Identifies and describes the knowledge, skills, and abilities that enable Army officers to succeed in joint, interagency, intergovernmental, and multinational contexts.
Feb 10, 2011
Report
Leader Development in Army Units: Views from the Field
Summarizes discussions with over 450 Army officers about leader development in Army units, and offers suggestions on how the Army school system can improve leader development.
Feb 16, 2008
Report
Something Old, Something New: Army Leader Development in a Dynamic Environment
Examines the nature of demands on Army officers in the contemporary operating environment and their implications for leader development.
Jan 30, 2006
Report
Past and Future: Insights for Reserve Component Use
Documents the background information, research, and analysis RAND was asked to provide in support of a comprehensive Department of Defense Review of the roles and missions of the Reserve Components.
Dec 13, 2004
Research Brief
Army Distance Learning Can Enhance Personnel Readiness
In the latest of a series of recent reports, RAND Arroyo Center researchers continued their analysis of the potential role for DL in tackling two issues that affect personnel readiness: personnel shortages and personnel instability.
2002
Report
Army Distance Learning and Personnel Readiness
Distance learning techniques can improve the efficiency of the Army's processes for educating its officers and NCOs.
2001
Report
Army Distance Learning: Potential for Reducing Shortages in Army Enlisted Occupations
This report examines ways in which distance learning can help the Army more quickly alleviate active component manpower shortages in under strength military occupations.
2001
Report
Enhancing Stability and Professional Development Using Distance Learning
This study looked at the potential effects of distance learning (DL) on the availability of soldiers and leaders to their assigned units, stability of assignments, and some aspects of institutional training costs.
2001
Research Brief
Rebuilding the Schoolhouse: Making Army Training More Efficient and Effective
Competition for scarce resources-both dollars and soldiers-has driven the Army to explore ways to reduce the costs and infrastructure needed to conduct military education and training.
2001