Department of the Air Force Officer Talent Management Reforms: Implications for Career Field Health and Demographic Diversity
Abstract
The Air Force is implementing extensive changes to the way it manages officer development and promotion. These changes include splitting the Line of the Air Force into six separate developmental categories and applying new personnel management flexibilities as introduced by the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019. The purpose of these reforms is to allow for more flexible and suitable developmental pathways within career fields and throughout an individual officer's career. The Air Force asked RAND Project AIR FORCE to examine the potential utility of changes to officer development and promotion management and the implications they may have for career field health and demographic diversity. Through an analysis of historical data and simulations using a novel inventory modeling tool - the Air Force Personnel Policy Simulation Tool (PPST) - RAND determined that most of these changes have the potential to benefit many career fields and demographic groups. Yet these changes may also have unanticipated effects; as a result, their implementation must be carefully monitored to ensure that they continue to address the Air Force's goals. A strategic tool like PPST is needed to prospectively explore and continuously monitor the effects of personnel policy changes.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 2021
- Accession Number
- AD1143495
Entities
People
- Albert A. Robbert
- Christopher E. Maerzluft
- David Schulker
- John S. Crown
- Matthew E. Walsh
- Nelson Lim
- Raymond E. Conley
Organizations
- RAND Corporation