The RAND SLAM Program

Abstract

This report describes the RAND SLAM program. The RAND SLAM program allows an analyst to explore the trade-offs inherent in military force structure decisions. More specifically, the program allows an analyst to examine trade-offs among cost, stress, and risk when the requirement for deployed forces varies over time. The RAND SLAM program's unique features allow an analyst to study the effects of varying military requirements on force structure decisions. Optimal force structures can vary dramatically depending on the nature of the threat. For this reason, the RAND SLAM program models contingencies stochastically, acknowledging that military requirements vary unpredictably over time and allowing an analyst to study the implications. The report contains a number of illustrative analyses focusing on the force structure of the U.S. Army. Many of the analyses that have been performed in support of force structure decisions have been very narrowly focused. The power of the RAND SLAM program is that it allows an analyst to perform many different types of analysis under almost any set of assumptions. The program's primary focus is allowing an analyst to determine the lowest-cost force structure for a given requirement and stress level. However, the program can also perform many other types of analyses, such as determining the effect of different requirements on stress levels for a given force structure. The RAND SLAM program was designed to provide as much flexibility as possible. The user determines both the unit of analysis and the time resolution for each set of simulation runs. The program is capable of utilizing any unit of analysis -- individual, company, battalion, brigade, etc. -- and modeling any time resolution -- days, months, quarters, years, etc. The RAND SLAM program allows the user to move beyond the typical analysis of finding the optimal active-reserve mix. The user can create new types of forces and examine their attractiveness under varying assumptions.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2008
Accession Number
ADA492306

Entities

People

  • Arthur M. Bullock
  • Christopher Ordowich
  • Jacob Alex Lex Klerman
  • Scot Hickey

Organizations

  • RAND Corporation

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Active Duty
  • Basic Programming Language
  • Computer Programming
  • Computer Programs
  • Cost Effectiveness
  • Cost Models
  • Database Management Systems
  • Databases
  • Department Of Defense
  • Intellectual Property
  • Military Requirements
  • Military Science
  • National Security
  • Spreadsheet Software
  • Training
  • Unified Combatant Commands
  • United States

Readers

  • Civilian Systems Systems Program Capability Development and Upgrade Support Activity Expense and Pay Management.
  • Life Cycle Cost Analysis
  • Military Mobilization and Reserve Forces Studies.