Does the Corps have a "Ready Bench": An analysis of the disparity between supply and operational demand
Abstract
The Marine Corps provides a medium-weight force capability that can be task-organized and deployed at the right time and place. With this advantage, the operational demand on the Marine Corps across the continuum of military operations will continue in the future. Specifically, the service must balance capabilities in support of global operations, sustain readiness for major combat operations, and modernize the force. However, the negative impacts of spreading the force too thin across competing priorities have produced more risks than current manpower readiness assessments reveal. Manpower is the most important resource that allows the Marine Corps to fight tonight at the right time and place. The sustainable apportionment of limited manpower supply to operational requirements must be approached through a responsible agent and a continuous, accurate, and standardized assessment process that enables risk-based decision making. The path to resolution is achievable through a synchronized strategy managed by a service-lead organization vested with the authority to balance current and future demand against the bank of manpower. This synchronization will promote unity of effort among the stakeholders and prevent force commitments that are unsustainable, further exhaust an already questionable ready bench, weaken combat readiness, and potentially delay the fight to tomorrow.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 09, 2018
- Accession Number
- AD1176858
Entities
People
- Mabel B. Annunziata
Organizations
- Marine Corps University