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Military Force Deployment

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The successful deployment of a military force involves the movement of troops and materiel in response to a regional threat and the ability to sustain this force until the military objective is achieved. RAND has extensive experience evaluating and providing supportable recommendations to military decisionmakers to ensure rapid and sustainable deployments to counter regional threats.

Research Brief

Deployment Experiences and Health Among U.S. Active-Duty Service Members

Jun 21, 2018

The 2015 Health Related Behaviors Survey asked active-duty service members about the frequency and duration of deployments, their levels of exposure to combat-related experiences, the prevalence of deployment-related injuries and substance use, and deployment-related mental and physical health.
Report

How Does Deployment Experience Compare Across the Services?

Mar 6, 2018

Deployments are a key aspect of U.S. military service. Since 9/11, 2.77 million service members have served on 5.4 million deployments. Accrued time deployed is a relevant metric for measuring military experience, but also for measuring service member and family well-being.

Explore Military Force Deployment

Report

Report

Army Expeditionary Civilian Demand: Forecasting Future Requirements for Civilian Deployments

As the largest provider of government civilians to support U.S. military operations, the Army stands to benefit to a great extent from a more robust process for forecasting future demand for its civilian workforce.

Oct 24, 2019
Research Brief

Why Understanding 'Will to Fight' Is Crucial

Arguably, will to fight is the most important factor in war. The best technology in the world is useless without the force of will to use it and to keep using it even as casualties mount and unexpected calamities arise. Ignoring will to fight can contribute to tactical or even strategic defeat.

Sep 13, 2019
Report

Report

Personnel Recovery in the AFRICOM Area of Responsibility: Cost-Effective Options for Improvement

This report identifies the most cost-effective options for improving medical rescue capabilities in U.S. Africa Command's area of responsibility.

Aug 27, 2019
Commentary

Japan's Hormuz Dilemma

Japan is a staunch U.S. ally in the Indo-Pacific. But any decision to support a coalition against Iran in the Middle East is likely to put Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in a tough position.

Aug 16, 2019
Research Brief

How to Improve Mental Health Care for Veterans

Veterans, especially those who deployed overseas, face elevated risks of mental health conditions. Those who have served since 9/11 are particularly vulnerable. About one in five experiences mental health problems. Are veterans getting the high-quality care that they need?

Aug 13, 2019
Report

Main Command Post-Operational Detachments (MCP-ODs) and Division Headquarters Readiness

Researchers identify the effects of Focus Area Review Group II headquarters design and its new unit type -- the Main Command Post--Operational Detachment -- on division headquarters readiness.

Jun 3, 2019
Commentary

Vietnam Is the Chinese Military's Preferred Warm-Up Fight

China's last major war experience gave it virtually zero lessons to apply to future armed conflict. At some point the People's Liberation Army (PLA) will need to test its new capabilities and the training it has honed over time. There are at least three reasons why Vietnam is likely in the PLA's crosshairs.

May 15, 2019
Report

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

Report

A Throughput-Based Analysis of Army Active Component/Reserve Component Mix for Major Contingency Surge Operations

This report examines how changing the way in which the Army executes mobilization and contingency planning can affect the ratio of reserve component to active component units deploying in the early weeks of a major crisis.

May 8, 2019
Commentary

With Little Fanfare, Japan Just Changed the Way It Uses Its Military

In early April, Japan deployed its Self-Defense Forces (SDF) abroad to join a multinational force not connected to the United Nations. This is the first time that SDF personnel will participate in overseas peacekeeping operations not under UN control. The difference may not seem important, but it is.

May 3, 2019
Blog

Christchurch, Brexit, China and Israel: RAND Weekly Recap

This weekly recap focuses on the Christchurch shootings, how the UK can improve its post-Brexit prospects, China and Israel's evolving relationship, and more.

Mar 22, 2019
Commentary

'Cost Plus 50' Explained

The Trump administration may be considering requiring host nations to subsidize the entire cost of the U.S. military presence and pay an additional 50 percent of that amount. This type of transactional foreign policy increases the risk that countries will rethink their agreements to host U.S. forces, and that could reduce the U.S. military's ability to operate globally.

Mar 15, 2019
Report

Report

Planning an Army for the 21st Century: Principles to Guide U.S. Army Force Size, Mix, and Component Distribution

In this Perspective, the authors seek to provide criteria for an effective and efficient Army for the 21st century and lay out principles to help guide leaders in making contemporary force-planning decisions.

Dec 3, 2018
Commentary

The U.S. Military's Border Enforcement Role

The Trump administration announced a deployment of at least 5,200 active-duty troops to the U.S.-Mexico border. Is a military response of this size needed to address the situation on the southern border?

Nov 19, 2018
Report

Assessing Will to Fight at the Military Unit Level

Will to fight is vital to understanding war, but it is often ignored or misunderstood. A model of unit will to fight that can be applied to ground combat units of any scale can help U.S. military leaders better assess partner and adversary forces and incorporate will to fight in their planning.

Sep 20, 2018
Report

What Shapes a Nation's Will to Fight?

When considering threats from Russia and North Korea, it is natural to focus on military capabilities. But incorporating will to fight into the analysis of actual or potential conflicts will enhance strategic planning. A model that can be tailored and applied to various conflict scenarios can help U.S. leaders better understand and influence will to fight.

Sep 20, 2018
Report

Is the USAF Flying Force Large Enough? Assessing Capacity Demands in Four Alternative Futures

This report draws on historical data to quantify gaps in the U.S. Air Force's capacity to meet potential future demands.

Aug 28, 2018
Commentary

Exploring the Allied Decisions on Military Mobility in Europe

Debates about defense expenditure and concerns over NATO unity overshadowed decisions on defense and deterrence in Europe made during the recent NATO summit and European Council meetings. Both events brought significant and tangible conclusions with potential impacts on defense, deterrence, and readiness in Europe.

Jul 27, 2018
Commentary

Military Mobility Returns to the Forefront in Europe

The importance of military mobility has returned only recently to the international high-level agenda, specifically NATO and the European Union. The EU is expected to tackle the issue of military mobility during a European Council meeting in late June, and NATO will convene a summit in July.

Jun 25, 2018
Infographic

Infographic

Are They Living Healthy? How Well Are Soldiers Taking Care of Themselves

The 2015 Health Related Behaviors Survey sought information on the health, health-related behaviors, and well-being of active-duty service members. This infographic reports key findings across the Army.

Jun 21, 2018

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RAND Topic:
Military Force Deployment

Topic Synonyms:
Deployment Process

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