Lateral Entry of Military Personnel
Abstract
The current system of training people within the military may no longer be affordable. IDA considered whether the military would benefit from increased lateral entry, a policy in which recruits with some civilian training come into the military at an intermediate level. First, IDA reviewed current policies, which are different depending on whether the personnel have served in the military before or not and whether the personnel are entering the active forces or the reserves. Next, IDA examined the types of occupational specialties appropriate for lateral entry and benchmarks for the amount of cost savings. Lateral entry provides a cost-effective means of reducing the size of the active forces by accessing people after they are trained and productive and by reducing the number of people in the military training establishment. Lateral entry also gives the military the means to add people with the right technical skills quickly. The study considers benefits and risks of policy change and discusses implementation through changes in personnel requirements, easier re-entry for prior service personnel, and more flexible pay.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1992
- Accession Number
- ADA253290
Entities
People
- Karen W. Tyson
- Stanley A. Horowitz
Organizations
- Institute for Defense Analyses