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United States Department of Defense

Commentary

Uncertainty Ahead: Defense Technology and Acquisition Trends in 2017

The change in administration, coupled with the new management structure being imposed by Congress on the Department of Defense's acquisition enterprise is creating a shifting and unpredictable landscape for 2017.

Jan 3, 2017
Report

Report

Issues with Access to Acquisition Data and Information in the Department of Defense: A Closer Look at the Origins and Implementation of Controlled Unclassified Information Labels and Security Policy

The authors evaluated current Controlled Unclassified Information labeling procedures, practices, and security policies for U.S. Department of Defense acquisition data and recommend improvements.

Dec 19, 2016
Commentary

The Pentagon's New Chief Innovation Officer Should Tread Lightly

The innovation efforts taking place in the Department of Defense are exciting and have much potential. But installing a chief innovation officer with centralized authority who may become just another bureaucratic player among many could spoil those efforts.

Nov 3, 2016
Report

Report

Workforce Downsizing and Restructuring in the Department of Defense: The Voluntary Separation Incentive Payment Program Versus Involuntary Separation

Assesses the cost-effectiveness for the U.S. Department of Defense of using incentives for voluntary separations, together with or instead of imposing involuntary separations, to reduce the size of its civilian workforce.

Oct 13, 2016
Report

Report

Understanding and Assessing the Costs of the Federal Retail Excise Tax on the Department of Defense

This report examines the costs of the 12-percent Federal Retail Excise Tax on certain types of vehicles purchased or refurbished by the U.S. Department of Defense and outlines three prospective reform options that could reduce indirect costs.

Oct 7, 2016
Report

Developing an Assessment, Monitoring, and Evaluation Framework for U.S. Department of Defense Security Cooperation

This report explores the creation of a U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) system for security cooperation assessment, monitoring, and evaluation (AME) by analyzing existing AME practices inside and outside DoD and proposing an implementation framework.

Oct 6, 2016
Report

Report

Promotion Benchmarks for Senior Officers with Joint and Acquisition Service

This report examines ways to improve reporting on promotion objectives for officers who have served on the Joint Staff or in the Office of the Secretary of Defense staff or are joint-qualified officers or Acquisition Corps members.

Sep 14, 2016
Report

Report

Options for Educating Students Attending Department of Defense Schools in the United States

The Department of Defense Education Activity operates or contracts with local agencies to operate schools on 15 contiguous U.S. installations. This report evaluates the options for educating military-connected children on these installations.

Sep 13, 2016
Report

Report

Capabilities for Joint Analysis in the Department of Defense: Rethinking Support for Strategic Analysis

This report stems from a congressional request for an independent report about the U.S. Department of Defense's capabilities for joint analysis and ways to improve them.

Sep 12, 2016
Commentary

In Defense of Defense Analysis

Rather than characterize Robert McNamara's legacy as one of inefficiency, his economic, quantitative analysis of military problems should be portrayed as an innovative, if flawed, first adoption of more sophisticated methods for defense analysis.

Sep 2, 2016
Essay

Transgender Troops: Fit to Serve

The Pentagon's decision to open the ranks to transgender service members was informed by months of RAND research into the costs and numbers involved.

Aug 18, 2016
Commentary

How Defense Choices Affect Military Readiness

Because the United States cannot afford to prioritize and defend against every possible threat or contingency, it must accept risk with each decision it makes. And the more adaptive the adversary, the more likely it will confound readiness investments made previously to confront it.

Aug 10, 2016
Report

Report

Mathematics Audit of the DoDEA Schools: 2014–2015

This report is an audit of the then-current Department of Defense Education Activity mathematics program, built around standards established in 2009, to help prepare for a transition to Common Core State Standards, which began in 2014--2015.

Aug 10, 2016
Report

Report

Diversity Leadership in the U.S. Department of Defense: Analysis of the Key Roles, Responsibilities, and Attributes of Diversity Leaders

This study identifies the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other personal characteristics needed in individuals who will be responsible for implementing strategic diversity plans in the U.S. Department of Defense.

Jul 28, 2016
Dissertation

Dissertation

Balancing Immediate and Long-Term Defense Investments

Examines how the US Department of Defense acquisition bureaucracy responds to unforeseen conflicts and adversaries by making immediate procurement investments.

Jul 18, 2016
Report

The Value of Military Installation Public-to-Public Partnerships

Partnerships have benefited both U.S. military installations and communities in terms of cost savings, improved operations, access to additional expertise and resources, and improved military-community relations.

Jul 12, 2016
Brochure

Brochure

Fostering Innovation in the Defense Department: Examples from RAND's Federally Funded Research and Development Centers

Describes examples of how the Department of Defense (DoD) has used RAND analysis across the spectrum of DoD activities to innovate and otherwise solve problems in meeting its mission objectives.

Jul 8, 2016
News Release

News Release

Impact of Transgender Personnel on Readiness and Health Care Costs in the U.S. Military Likely to Be Small

The U.S. Department of Defense has been reviewing its policy that bans transgender personnel from serving openly. If transgender people were allowed to serve openly, the number would likely be a small fraction of the total force and have minimal impact on readiness and health care costs.

Jun 30, 2016
Research Brief

The Implications of Allowing Transgender Personnel to Serve Openly

As the U.S. Department of Defense reviews potential changes to its policy on transgender service members, it will need to consider this population's unique health care needs, the potential costs associated with extending coverage for these needs, and the readiness implications of allowing transgender service members to serve openly.

Jun 30, 2016
Report

The Implications of Allowing Transgender Personnel to Serve Openly

If the U.S. military decides to let transgender people serve openly, the number would likely be a small fraction of the total force and have minimal impact on readiness and health care costs.

Jun 30, 2016

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RAND Topic:
United States Department of Defense

Topic Synonyms:
Department of Defense

Researcher Spotlight

Emma Westerman

Associate Program Director, Acquisition and Development Program, Homeland Security Operational Analysis Center (HSOAC)

Emma Westerman is the Associate Director of the Acquisition and Development Program (ADP) for the Homeland Security Operational Analysis Center (HSOAC). She is a mathematician who specializes in acquisition, logistics, technology, sustainment, cybersecurity, and lifecycle risk management.
Brodi Kotila

Senior Political Scientist

Brodi Kotila is a senior political scientist at the RAND Corporation. She supports the Departments of Homeland Security and Defense on a wide range of matters including strategic planning and implementation, legal, regulatory, and policy analysis, risk mitigation, disaster response and emergency…

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