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United States Department of Defense

Report

3D Printing: Downstream Production Transforming the Supply Chain

This Perspective describes potential uses of 3D printing in a military context to help the U.S. Department of Defense understand future impacts on the supply chain and the structural and policy changes that might be required to support these efforts.

Aug 11, 2017
Tool

Tool

Hazing Prevention and Response: Training for Military Leaders

This instructor guide provides content for leading Hazing Prevention and Response: Training for Military Leaders, an adaptable, interactive class to aid hazing prevention and response, describing policies and strategies in support of such efforts.

Jul 24, 2017
Report

Social Media Analysis Could Support Information Operations

Social media analysis could provide a window into the perspectives and communications of adversaries and other key audiences. If DoD seeks to expand its capability in this area, it must navigate U.S. law, cultural norms, and other issues.

Jun 14, 2017
Report

Report

A Review of Alternative Methods to Inventory Contracted Services in the Department of Defense

Concerned about U.S. Department of Defense contracts for private-sector services, Congress mandated development of an inventory of contract activities. RAND conducted a review of the system, stakeholder needs, and alternative data sources.

Apr 27, 2017
Commentary

Reservists and the National Guard Offer Untapped Resources for Cybersecurity

More than 100,000 personnel in the Army National Guard and the U.S. Army Reserve have some degree of cyber competence, including thousands with deep or mid-level expertise. They could help defend the cyber terrain on which America's national security, prosperity, and democracy depend.

Apr 18, 2017
Commentary

U.N. Peacekeeping Is a Good Deal for the U.S.

Why should America spend taxpayer dollars on foreign peacekeepers when it could use the money to increase the capabilities of its own military? It turns out that U.N. peacekeepers are an incredibly good deal when compared to U.S. forces.

Apr 2, 2017
Report

Report

Issues with Access to Acquisition Data and Information in the Department of Defense: Doing Data Right in Weapon System Acquisition

This report examines Department of Defense acquisition data and the information systems where it resides and offers insights into improving the management, availability, and usefulness of this information.

Mar 27, 2017
Dissertation

Dissertation

The Defense Acquisition Workforce Growth Initiative: Changing Workforce Characteristics and the Implications for Workforce Retention

Examines the U.S. defense acquisition workforce growth initiative and estimates how it has influenced overall cohort-level retention rates.

Mar 23, 2017
Report

Report

Assessing and Evaluating Department of Defense Efforts to Inform, Influence, and Persuade: Worked Example

This report presents a realistic but fictional scenario as context for how assessment planning for inform, influence, and persuade efforts should work in practice, demonstrating core principles and best practices for developing effective assessments.

Mar 22, 2017
Commentary

Thinking Constructively About Overmatch

To regain military superiority the Pentagon has suggested a strategy that focuses on emerging technologies and deterrence. But it will need more than new technologies to deter and respond to aggression; it should also take into account grand strategy and acquisition considerations and keep countering Russia and China a top priority.

Mar 21, 2017
Commentary

Why Strategies Disappoint — and How to Fix Them

Strategies fail because leaders are unwilling to make difficult decisions — to focus on one threat as opposed to another, prioritize resources, and then explain their decisions publicly — at the risk of being wrong. Can the new U.S. administration succeed in fixing the strategy process?

Mar 20, 2017
Commentary

Making BRAC Politically Palatable

Taxpayer dollars have been used for decades to maintain bases that should have been realigned or closed. If policymakers would like more efficient use of defense dollars, they might consider allowing new rounds of Base Realignment and Closure.

Mar 16, 2017
Commentary

A More Public National Security Strategy Discussion

President Trump has proposed an increase of $54 billion in defense spending, about 10 percent more than the current budget. But what is the national security strategy that supports this reallocation of resources? A comprehensive discussion of threats to U.S. interests and strategies to address them is in order.

Mar 7, 2017
Commentary

Five Simple Strategy Lessons for a New Secretary of Defense

Secretary of Defense James Mattis will need to lay the intellectual groundwork to fulfill President Trump's promise of “a great rebuilding” of the United States military. History suggests that how the strategies are developed may be as important to their success as what they say.

Mar 2, 2017
Commentary

Acquisition in Transition

The DoD acquisition system is complex and ever-changing. It requires a trained and active workforce that has the support of Congress. Allowing some of the reforms to take place in a measured fashion would be a wise choice for the new administration and Congress.

Feb 21, 2017
Report

Report

Improving Implementation of the Department of Defense Leahy Law

The Leahy laws prohibit U.S. assistance to foreign security forces that have committed gross violations of human rights. This report analyzes the vetting process that helps the Department of Defense implement these laws and recommends improvements.

Feb 17, 2017
Testimony

How to Restore the Power Projection Capabilities of the U.S. Armed Forces

To help put the United States back on a path toward fielding forces that can defeat any adversary, the DoD needs money and insight. The latter can help inform decisionmaking. The former would let the DoD develop, acquire, and field new systems and postures.

Feb 16, 2017
Report

Report

2016 Assessment of the Civilian Acquisition Workforce Personnel Demonstration Project: Executive Summary

This executive summary presents the key findings of the fiscal year (FY) 2016 assessment of the Civilian Acquisition Workforce Personnel Demonstration Project mandated in the National Defense Authorization Act of FY 2011.

Feb 15, 2017
Report

2016 Assessment of the Civilian Acquisition Workforce Personnel Demonstration Project

This report accomplishes the fiscal year (FY) 2016 assessment of the Civilian Acquisition Workforce Personnel Demonstration Project mandated in the National Defense Authorization Act of FY 2011.

Feb 14, 2017
Report

Report

Assessing the Need for Supercomputing Resources Within the Pacific Area of Responsibility

This report evaluates the capabilities, challenges, and future options for the Maui High Performance Computing Center, providing important context about the center as decisionmakers work toward resolving its budget gap.

Feb 9, 2017

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RAND Topic:
United States Department of Defense

Topic Synonyms:
Department of Defense

Researcher Spotlight

Sina Beaghley

Senior International/Defense Policy Researcher

Sina Beaghley is a senior international/defense policy researcher at the RAND Corporation. She focuses on national security policy issues including counterterrorism, cyber, and surveillance and privacy. Prior to RAND, she served in the federal government for more than a decade where she most…
Michael H. Decker

Director Marine Forces Programs, Senior International/Defense Research Analyst

Mike Decker is Director, Marine Forces Programs. Mike recently served as Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Intelligence Oversight. Prior to his appointment as ATSD (IO), he served as Director and Assistant Director of Intelligence, U.S. Marine Corps. In those positions Decker provided…

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