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Military Professions

For decades, RAND has conducted extensive research to help U.S. and allied decisionmakers design training and career development programs that will attract and retain military professionals capable of meeting a nation's national security and defense goals.

Report
Targeting the Occupational Skill Pairings Needed in New Air Force Colonels
The Air Force needs to develop a second occupational competency, or a paired skill, in many of its future colonels and generals so they can fill leadership jobs that require competency beyond their primary occupational backgrounds.
Oct 7, 2010
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Evaluating Navy's Funded Graduate Education Program: A Return-on-Investment Framework
The financial costs of graduate education are difficult to recoup, but the Navy benefits from broadly educating its officers. The skills and general knowledge thus gained add value throughout a career, particularly one headed for flag rank.
Aug 3, 2010
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The Air Force Officer Qualifying Test: Validity, Fairness, and Bias
Reports the results of an examination of the worth and validity of the Air Force Officer Qualifying Test.
May 10, 2010
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Security Cooperation Organizations in the Country Team: Options for Success
Examines options for improving current Defense Department security cooperation organization and practices at the country team level, particularly in countries that are threatened by insecurity or instability.
Mar 5, 2010
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Human Capital Management for the USAF Cyber Force
Identifies and analyzes the human capital management issues associated with the creation of a formal organization dedicated to cyberspace capabilities within the U.S. Air Force.
Feb 22, 2010
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Measuring Underemployment Among Military Spouses
Comparisons of military wives with a group of similar civilian wives show that the former have a much greater tendency to be underemployed. However, there does not seem to be a strong link between military wives' labor force position and satisfaction with their life situation.
Feb 16, 2010
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The Acquisition Cost-Estimating Workforce: Census and Characteristics
Reports the results of a census of the Air Force's acquisition cost-estimating workforce, describes its background and competencies, and assesses its operational needs.
Nov 24, 2009
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Air Force Officer Specialty Structure: Reviewing the Fundamentals
Focusing primarily on the officer structure, provides a brief primer on the specialty-classification system, summarizes major changes in progress or planned, and suggests additional changes based on interviews and comparative analyses.
Oct 30, 2009
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Officer Classification and the Future of Diversity Among Senior Military Leaders: A Case Study of the Army ROTC
Examines the relationship between career field choice, race/ethnicity, and membership in the Army's senior officer corps.
Sep 28, 2009
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Computer Simulation of General and Flag Officer Management: Model Description and Results
A simulation model is used to assess the complexity and feasibility of managing the new general and flag officer end- and grade-strength accounting rules of the Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009.
Aug 6, 2009
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A Strategic Approach to Joint Officer Management: Analysis and Modeling Results
As part of an effort examining officer development in joint matters, the authors use data analysis and complex modeling to identify billets that provide and/or require joint experience and to assess the supply and demand of joint officers.
Jul 16, 2009
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Qualifying Military Health Care Officers as "Joint": Weighing the Pros and Cons
This research, part of a larger project examining the preparation and support of leaders in the medical field, evaluates the need for and feasibility of qualifying health care officers as ''joint'' officers.
Mar 25, 2009
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The Cost-Effectiveness of Military Advertising: Evidence from 2002-2004
Presents the results of an econometric analysis that explored how effective military advertising is in generating active-duty enlistments.
Feb 27, 2009
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Feasibility of an Air Liaison Officer Career Field: Improving the Theater Air-Ground System
Air liaison officers (ALOs) are U.S. Air Force officers who provide close air support to U.S. Army units. This investigation of the feasibility of an ALO career field relies on historical sources, interviews, and a personnel flow analysis.
Oct 16, 2008
Report
The Weighted Airman Promotion System: Standardizing Test Scores
Examines the practice of not standardizing the test scores that are part of the U.S. Air Force enlisted promotion system and discusses possible standardization strategies.
Jun 22, 2008
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Planning for Diversity: Options and Recommendations for DoD Leaders
Discusses the initial steps that the Department of Defense should take in developing a department-wide strategic plan to achieve greater diversity within its active duty and civilian leadership.
May 15, 2008
Report
Developing Senior Navy Leaders: Requirements for Flag Officer Expertise Today and in the Future
Identifies the expertise requirements of senior Navy leadership positions, as well as the types of experience likely to become more important in the future, to better understand how the Navy should develop its officers.
May 7, 2008
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
Advancing the U.S. Air Force's Force-Development Initiative
Steps to take for consistent, efficient, and effective plans and means for improving the development of U.S. Air Force officers across and within their career fields.
Dec 13, 2007
Report
Indefinite Reenlistment and Noncommissioned Officers
Considers the utility of the U.S. Army shift, in 1998, of its senior enlisted force from a fixed enlistment contract system to indefinite reenlistment and the potential applicability to the other service branches.
Jan 29, 2007

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Research conducted by

Researcher Spotlight

Henry A. Leonard

Senior International/Defense Researcher

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…
Chaitra M. Hardison

Senior Behavioral Scientist

Chaitra M. Hardison (she/her) is a senior behavioral scientist at RAND and a professor of policy analysis at the Pardee RAND Graduate School. Her research focuses on the knowledge, skills, and abilities required in the workplace and identifying how best to select, train, and educate personnel to…

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