Pyramids, Balloons, and Squishy Spheres: The Dynamic Context of Military Grade Creep. Volume 1. Executive Summary

Abstract

One relentless focus of questioning of the military establishment has concerned grade creep, that is, steady escalation of the average grade within the armed forces, which is in turn related to questions concerning the ratio of combat to support among US forces, and the proportion of general/flag officers to overall military strength. This study eschews polemics or advocacy, or judgment as to whether the trend is good or bad. This paper accepts the premise that the trend is occurring. It adduces data indicating that the same trend is occurring in the Executive Department, the Congress, and the Civil Service, and explores broader developments in stratification theory, social values, the American work force, and organizational dynamics, indicating that status escalation is a widespread secular trend to technological societies, one that apparently has an extended course to run in the future, with significant implications.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Nov 20, 1974
Accession Number
ADB000451

Entities

People

  • Anthony L. Wermuth

Organizations

  • United States Army War College

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  • Biomedical
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  • Department Of Defense
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  • War Colleges

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