The U.S. military services and the combatant commands have reported vacancies in funded officer billets, a situation that can have adverse effects on organizational performance and mission readiness. At the same time, evolution in the capabilities of the enlisted force and in the nature of military work may have given rise to opportunities to fill these billets with personnel other than officers. To better understand how to match the Department of Defense's changing workforce with its evolving manpower needs, the authors examine opportunities to enhance or maintain personnel fill rates through alternative mixes of military manpower, especially increased use of enlisted personnel, warrant officers, and limited-duty officers. This report discusses how the enlisted force has evolved, reviews current manpower policy, proposes a framework and criteria for considering the conversion of positions currently designated for officers for performance by others, and applies proposed criteria to six specific positions to illustrate the process. The authors conclude that the Department of Defense may indeed have opportunities to better leverage the experience, education, and capability of enlisted personnel, warrant officers, and limited-duty officers in some billets now designated for officers. However, new and revised guidance is required.
"This research was ... conducted within the Forces and Resources Policy Center of the RAND National Defense Research Institute"--Pref.
Bibliography (note)
Includes bibliographical references (p. 83-85).
Processing Action (note)
committed to retain
Contents
Introduction -- Officer vacancies, service manpower approaches, and current manpower policy -- An evolving enlisted force -- Criteria to evaluate alternative manpower options -- Application of criteria to selected occupations -- Conclusions and Recommendations -- Appendix: Guidance on officer/enlisted manpower categorizations.