Cohesion: What We Learned from COHORT
Abstract
In 1981 The Chief of Staff of the Army decided to change the Army personnel management system in order to foster greater unit bonding, cohesion, self-confidence, and trust. The Army instituted the Unit Manning System (UMS) and its principle component, the COHORT (Cohesion, Operational Readiness, Training) unit replacement system. Its purpose was to reduce soldier turbulence by keeping soldiers together in the same unit for longer periods. The Army applied the new system in forming combat arms companies and battalions. Much theory and experience supported the validity of this concept as a means for improving both unit cohesion and potential combat performance. Nevertheless, not all results exonerated the new system and in 1986 the Army abandoned large scale application of the original COHORT concept replacing it with a package replacement system that has evolved into another form of the individual replacement system which COHORT was designed to replace. One case that demonstrates well the advantages and limitations discovered in the application of the COHORT methodology involved the conversion of the 7th Infantry Division to the 'light' configuration using COHORT principles. This information and other sources provide enduring lessons regarding personnel management and preparation for war.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 02, 1990
- Accession Number
- ADA223529
Entities
People
- Kenneth C. Scull
Organizations
- United States Army War College