NSRD Publications Archive - 2015

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Evaluation of the Military Spouse Employment Partnership: Progress Report on First Stage of Analysis 2015

Gabriella C. Gonzalez, Luke J. Matthews, Marek N. Posard, Parisa Roshan, Shirley M. Ross
In this first of two reports, RAND researchers assess whether and how The Military Spouse Employment Partnership addresses its objectives in supporting the employment of military spouses and closing the wage gap between military and civilian spouses. This report documents the first phase of research to help meet the 2015 National Defense Authorization Act requirement for a "report evaluating the progress of military spouse employment programs."
Lessening the Risk of Refugee Radicalization: Lessons for the Middle East from Past Crises 2015

Barbara Sude, David Stebbins, Sarah Weilant
The exodus of more than 4 million refugees from Syria since 2011 raises questions about whether Syrian refugee concentrations will become incubators for violent extremist groups. This Perspective takes a preliminary look at nine historical situations in which populations fled violent conflict or repression to identify the factors in the way refugee situations are managed that are most likely to contribute to radicalization.
Metrics to Compare Aircraft Operating and Support Costs in the Department of Defense 2015

Michael Boito, Edward G. Keating, John Wallace, Bradley DeBlois, Ilana Blum
This report examines several issues associated with the cost-per-flying-hour (CPFH) metric used in the Department of Defense (DoD), including its use to compare operating and support costs of different aircraft. The report recommends a definition of CPFH when comparing aircraft, several ways the cost and usage data should be normalized, and a cost-per-aircraft metric as an alternative metric for comparing the O&S costs of aircraft.
Assessment of Surface Ship Maintenance Requirements 2015

Robert W. Button, Bradley Martin, Jerry M. Sollinger, Abraham Tidwell
This report by the National Defense Research Institute (NDRI) examines the impact of the U.S. government's fiscal challenges on the U.S. Navy's surface ship maintenance and operations requirements. There is widespread concern that surface ship materiel readiness is declining due to operations and instances of deferred maintenance. Recommendations are made regarding potential strategies to minimize the negative impacts of these fiscal constraints.
A Peace Plan for Syria 2015

James Dobbins, Jeffrey Martini, Philip Gordon
This essay presents a peace plan for Syria focused on the steps necessary to secure and sustain a ceasefire for the extended period that is likely to be needed for the Syrian parties to actually agree on new governing arrangements. It concludes that the external parties that have supported one side or another in the current conflict will need to come together to guarantee and enforce any such ceasefire, if it is to hold.
The Federal Voting Assistance Program: Refocusing and Reorganizing for the Road Ahead 2015

Victoria A. Greenfield, Shoshana R. Shelton, Edward Balkovich, John S. Davis II, David M. Adamson
The Federal Voting Assistance Program is creating a clearer, shared understanding of its mission; building trust and strengthening its relationships with its stakeholders; and embracing a culture and principles of effectiveness.
National Security Implications of Virtual Currency: Examining the Potential for Non-state Actor Deployment 2015

Joshua Baron, Angela O'Mahony, David Manheim, Cynthia Dion-Schwarz
This report examines the feasibility for non-state actors, including terrorist and insurgent groups, to increase their political and/or economic power by deploying a virtual currency (VC) for use in regular economic transactions. This report should be of interest to policymakers interested in technology, counterterrorism, and intelligence and law enforcement issues, as well as for VC and cybersecurity researchers.
Considerations for Integrating Women into Closed Occupations in U.S. Special Operations Forces 2015

Thomas S. Szayna, Eric V. Larson, Angela O'Mahony, Sean Robson, Agnes Gereben Schaefer, Miriam Matthews, J Michael Polich, Lynsay Ayer, Derek Eaton, William Marcellino, et al.
Integrating women into special operations forces poses potential challenges for unit cohesion. The integration of women raises issues of effectiveness, in terms of physical standards and ensuring the readiness, cohesion, and morale essential to high-performing teams. This report assesses those challenges and provides analytical support for validating occupational standards for positions controlled by U.S. Special Operations Command.
Using Causal Models in Heterogeneous Information Fusion to Detect Terrorists 2015

Paul K. Davis, Walter L. Perry, John S. Hollywood, David Manheim
We describe basic research that uses a causal, uncertainty-sensitive computational model rooted in qualitative social science to fuse disparate pieces of threat information.
The Role of Oil in ISIL Finances 2015

Keith Crane
Testimony presented before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on December 10, 2015.
The French War on Al Qa'ida in Africa 2015

Christopher S. Chivvis
This book investigates France's 2013 military intervention in Mali and its lessons for America's fight against terrorist groups in Africa and worldwide. Its assessment of new anti-terrorist military strategy will be of use to those in the foreign policy and national security communities.
Inspiration, Not Infiltration: Jihadist Conspirators in the United States 2015

Brian Michael Jenkins
Testimony presented before the House Oversight and Governmental Reform Committee and Governmental Reform, Subcommittee on National Security and Subcommittee on Health Care, Benefits, and Administrative Rules on December 10, 2015.
Implications of Integrating Women into the Marine Corps Infantry 2015

Agnes Gereben Schaefer, Jennie W. Wenger, Jennifer Kavanagh, Jonathan P. Wong, Gillian S. Oak, Thomas E. Trail, Todd Nichols
This study for the U.S. Marine Corps presents a historical overview of the integration of women into the U.S. military and explores the importance of cohesion and what influences it. The gender integration experiences of foreign militaries, as well as the gender integration efforts of domestic police and fire departments, are analyzed for insights into effective policies. The potential costs of integration are analyzed as well.
Implications of Integrating Women into USMC Infantry 2015

Agnes Gereben Schaefer, Jennie W. Wenger, Jennifer Kavanagh, Jonathan P. Wong, Gillian S. Oak, Thomas E. Trail, Todd Nichols
The Marine Corps Combat Development Command asked RAND to study the integration of women into infantry combat roles. Researchers reviewed the literature, conducted interviews, estimated costs, and developed an approach for monitoring integration.
Reforming the American Military Officer Personnel System 2015

Bernard D. Rostker
Testimony presented before the Senate Armed Services Committee on December 2, 2015.