The Joint Officer: A Professional Specialist
Abstract
In 1986, Congress passed the Goldwater-Nichols Department of Defense (DoD) Reorganization Act to improve the effectiveness of the Services to execute joint operations. Title IV of the act called for the establishment of a Joint Specialty Officer (JSO) designation to identify those officers particularly educated and experienced in joint matters. The goal was to increase the quality, stability, and experience of officers assigned to joint organizations which, in turn, would improve joint organization outcomes. Despite overwhelming efforts to strengthen joint professional military education, little has occurred to exploit the experiential skills and joint competencies derived from joint assignments. Because of its failure to designate career paths and implement a career management plan for joint officers, DoD is losing valuable "expert" knowledge. This paper explores DoD's Joint Officer Development approach and highlights the effects of career management methodologies on joint officers. It recommends that DoD identify and implement a specific career management plan for joint professionals, including designated career paths, which will improve the performance and effectiveness of joint organizations.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 23, 2011
- Accession Number
- ADA543195
Entities
People
- Scott A. Carpenter
Organizations
- United States Army War College