Considering a Cadre Augmented Army
Abstract
This dissertation explores the possibility of integrating a new type of unit into the United States Army. The impetus for this analysis is a recent shift in Department of Defense force planning from planning primarily for wars fought without rotation to wars fought with rotation. This dissertation analyzes the attractiveness and feasibility of integrating a new type of unit into the Army from three perspectives: budgetary, operational, and historical. It is intended to stimulate debate about the future size and mix of the Army when planning for wars fought with rotation. This dissertation considers whether integrating a new type of unit into the U.S. Army could reduce costs without significantly increasing military risk. A new type of unit is now worth considering because the Department of Defense (DoD) recently changed its force planning guidance. The DoD shifted its focus from planning primarily for wars fought without rotation to planning for wars fought with rotation. In a force designed for use with rotation, some units are not needed as quickly as they were in a force designed for use without rotation. Those units that are not needed quickly could be maintained at a lower level of readiness without a significant increase in military risk. Maintaining these units at a lower level of readiness would lower costs because there is a tradeoff between the peacetime cost and readiness of a unit. The Reserve Component (RC) has historically served as the low-cost, low-readiness force. However, RC combat units are maintained at an unnecessarily high level of readiness for some slots in a rotation. The DoD may wish to consider maintaining some units at a level of readiness lower than that of the RC to reduce costs without significantly increasing military risk.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2008
- Accession Number
- ADA484343
Entities
People
- Christopher Ordowich
Organizations
- RAND Corporation