Geographic Movement of Military Personnel: Issues and Policies
Abstract
This paper is one in a series of studies concerned with identifying approaches to maintaining a strong military manpower capability during a period of declining budgets and force levels. Its focus is on the possibility of reducing Permanent Change of Station (PCS) expenditures by decreasing the frequency with which personnel are rotated. Service rotation policies are reviewed. In 1989, $2.5 billion was spent on PCS moves. Many of these moves are not discretionary, but most of the expense is related to rotation of individuals between the U.S. and overseas locations (or sea billets in the case of the Navy). The possibility of lowering PCS costs by paying bonuses to induce voluntary continuation at undesirable billets is discussed. The relationship between personnel stability (which is disrupted by rotation) and unit performance is examined. A simple model relating PCS costs to the number of undesirable billets and tour length is developed. The reduction of billets in Europe is identified as a major source of likely PCS savings. These savings could approach $1 billion per year. The paper recommends that steps be taken to insure that these are realized. Navy sea-shore rotation will continue to be a problem. Analysis of the possibility of making greater use of bonuses to attract volunteers for sea duty is suggested.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1991
- Accession Number
- ADA252202
Entities
People
- John T. Warner
- Stanley A. Horowitz
Organizations
- Institute for Defense Analyses