Army OPMS XXI Affects Careers
Abstract
How will the Army Officer Personnel Management System (OPMS) XXI enhance the quality of the professional Army officer, ensuring that it develops, promotes, and retains the most competent leaders who are capable of executing the national military strategy challenges of the early 21st century? The current environment for Army officers began to change with the implementation of three significant legislative acts: the Goldwater-Nichols Department of Defense Reorganization Act of 1986, the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act, and the Title XI legislation for Active Component support to the Army National Guard and Army Reserves. The drawdown that began in 1990 continued the demise of the current Army OPMS. The Army has identified a number of issues that are having a negative effect on the career expectations of Army officers: widespread anxiety about career security, considerable concern about attaining the right assignments to remain competitive, a growing "zero defects" mentality across the force tied to OER inflation, and an extremely high unit operational tempo (OPTEMPO) coupled with declining quality-of-life compensations. The most significant problem facing the Army of the 21st century is that its officers believe that successful command is the only path to promotion at the expense of the more technical skills and experience in functional specialties. The officer management system must provide a more reasonable opportunity for success for officers who are concentrating on support and information operations as compared to the more traditional "command track" officers. The 21st Century Army will require more officers with a technical specialty who must spend a great deal more time in that specialty to sustain their proficiency. OPMS XXI will encourage specialization over the current generalist philosophy that Army culture promotes. OPMS XXI will develop a more cohesive force, better allocate promotion opportunities, and retain the most competent leaders.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1999
- Accession Number
- ADA525983
Entities
People
- Edward D. Mason
Organizations
- Marine Corps University