The Challenge of Manning the Post-Cold War Army

Abstract

Following the end of the Cold War, the Army embarked on a significant force reduction program that spanned nearly an entire decade. As the Army approached the end of that drawdown period, the All-Volunteer Force was beginning to show signs of buckling. High attrition, a declining propensity to serve, and a significant gap between civilian and military pay had the Army struggling to bring young men and women into its ranks. Rumblings of a "hollow Army," reminiscent of the post Vietnam days, were again being heard in discussions among Army leaders. This paper will examine the Army's manning crisis and the factors that have contributed to the challenges it faces today. Are the Army's current personnel policies contributing to the problem? This paper contends they are and will offer solutions to help the Army overcome the current manning crisis.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 15, 1999
Accession Number
ADA363118

Entities

People

  • John P. Mikula

Organizations

  • United States Army War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Attrition
  • Cold War
  • Contingency Operations (Military)
  • Demographic Cohorts
  • Department Of Defense
  • Generation X
  • Military Budgets
  • Military Personnel
  • Military Strategy
  • Recruiting
  • Recruits
  • Second World War
  • Training
  • United States
  • Vietnam War
  • War
  • War Colleges

Readers

  • Military History of the United States in the 20th Century.
  • Naval Personnel Management