Analyzing the Costs of Alternative Army Active/Reserve Force Mixes

Abstract

We drew on the Army's extensive unit-level cost models and databases to build an automated active/reserve force mix analysis model that allows us to quickly estimate the cost and capabilities associated with alternative active component/reserve component (AC/RC) mixes for a community chosen by the user. By community we mean the set of units of a given type. Our modeling calculates the average annual cost of supporting and using the units, both active and reserve, in a community on a rotating basis. Personnel costs, operating costs, some overhead costs, equipment replacement costs, and deployment costs are included. Equipment replacement costs can also be captured. In addition to cost, it focuses on two dimensions of capability: Surge capability Steady state operational presence levels In this paper, we illustrate the use of our model by analyzing AC/RC force mix alternatives for various kinds of brigade combat teams. At this time, the model does not capture all the elements that pertain to active/reserve force mix decisions; such as unit effectiveness, the transition costs of establishing units in one component and disestablishing them in another, responsiveness under surge conditions, or possible variability in some infrastructure cost factors. Our current modeling provides a better-informed starting point for analyses of AC/RC force structure alternatives. Extensions of this work are incorporating flexibility in the specification of infrastructure costs factors and are addressing how well a given force structure can respond to potential surge requirements. The work will go beyond active-reserve mix questions to give the Department of Defense a tool for evaluating alternative force structures in the context of demand and programmatic costs.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 2012
Accession Number
ADA577090

Entities

People

  • Robert J. Atwell
  • Shaun K. Mcgee
  • Stanley A. Horowitz

Organizations

  • Institute for Defense Analyses

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Active Duty
  • Army
  • Contracts
  • Cost Analysis
  • Cost Models
  • Costs
  • Defense Planning
  • Department Of Defense
  • Education
  • Force Structure
  • Infrastructure
  • Military Science
  • Standards
  • Steady State
  • Training
  • United States
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Computational Modeling and Simulation
  • Maritime Combat Support and Expeditionary Logistics.
  • Military Mobilization and Reserve Forces Studies.