Defense Officer Personnel Management Act - The Army's Challenge to Contemporary Officer Management
Abstract
Examination of the Defense Officer Personnel Management Act (DOPMA) revealed that major provisions of the law originated from legislative antecedents dating as early as 1947. At that time, three of the major concerns influencing officer management legislation were creating uniformity among the Services, promoting a youthful and vigorous officer corps, and ensuring the military?s ability to quickly mobilize in the event of another major conflict. Despite significant organizational changes to the Army since initiation of these laws, DOPMA continues to impose an antiquated, time-based system of military officer management upon the Army. This system has repeatedly impeded the Army's ability to meet organizational requirements over the course of 30 years. In fact, the Army has had to seek suspension of key provisions of DOPMA in the 1990s (to achieve mandated reduction limits to its force) and more recently in 2005 (to facilitate expansion of the Army officer corps due to modularity). Furthermore, suspension of these provisions has occurred despite significant, repeated attempts by the Army to redesign its Officer Personnel Management System to function optimally under DOPMA.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 19, 2011
- Accession Number
- ADA545125
Entities
People
- Thurman C. Mckenzie
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College