Principles for determining the Air Force active reserve mix

182 Pages·1999·1.15 MB·English

by  Albert A. Robbert, Cynthia R. Cook, William A. Williams, Project Air Force (U.S.), Rand Corporation

Principles for Determining the Air Force
title:
Active/reserve Mix
Robbert, Albert A.; Williams, William A.;
author:
Cook, Cynthia R.
publisher: RAND
isbn10 | asin: 083302762X
print isbn13: 9780833027627
ebook isbn13: 9780585247687
language: English
United States.--Air Force--Recruiting,
subject enlistment, etc, United States.--Air Force--
Reserves.
publication date: 1999
lcc: UG883.R63 1999eb
ddc: 358.4/137/0973
United States.--Air Force--Recruiting,
subject:
enlistment, etc, United States.--Air Force--
Reserves.
Page i
Principles for Determining the Air Force
Active/Reserve Mix
Albert A. Robbert William A. Williams Cynthia R. Cook
Prepared for the United States Air Force
Project AIR FORCE RAND
Approved for public release; distribution unlimited
Page ii
The research reported here was sponsored by the United States Air
Force under Contract F49642-96-C-0001. Further information may be
obtained from the Strategic Planning Division, Directorate of Plans,
Hq USAF.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Robbert, Albert A. 1944-
Principles for determining the Air Force active/reserve mix/
Albert A. Robbert, William A. Williams, Cynthia R. Cook.
p. cm.
"MR-1091-AE"
Includes bibliographical references (p. ).
ISBN 0-8330-2762-X
1. United States. Air ForceRecruiting, enlisting, etc.
2. United States. Air ForceReserves. I. Title. II. Williams,
William A. 1952-III. Cook, Cynthia R. 1965-
UG883.R63 1999
358.4'137'097321dc21 99-042520
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Page iii
Preface
The mix of active and reserve forces constituting the total Air Force
has shifted during the last decade's force drawdown. However,
reductions across the active and reserve components of the total force
have not been proportional. Moreover, decisions affecting one
component may have been made independently of decisions affecting
other components. Recent force reductions and transfers among
components may not have been guided by a clear and accepted set of
principles for determining an end-state force mix.
The shape and size of the force mix can have important implications
for the cost, effectiveness, sustainability, and popular and political
support of military forces. However, force planners and programmers
may not be fully aware of these implications and may therefore make
or advocate force-structuring decisions that do not optimally support
national interests. This report assembles, examines, and rationalizes a
set of principles to help force planners and programmers recognize
these implications.
For the most part, fundamental principles applicable to contemporary
active/reserve force questions have been hammered out in past policy
deliberations. Our contribution was to assemble the principles in a
coherent framework and to elicit a review and critique of the
framework by current stakeholders and commentators. Toward that
end, our research included a forum, held in May 1998, of leaders and
thinkers from a number of military, civilian, academic, legislative, and
interest-group organizations.
This research was undertaken for the Director of Strategic Planning,
Headquarters United States Air Force. It responded to, and benefited
Page iv
from, interest on the part of the Air National Guard and Air Force
Reserve advisors to the Director.
Project Air Force
Project AIR FORCE, a division of RAND, is the Air Force Federally
Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) for studies and
analysis. It provides the Air Force with independent analysis of policy
alternatives affecting the deployment, employment, combat readiness,
and support of current and future air and space forces. Research is
performed in four programs: Aerospace Force Development;
Manpower, Personnel, and Training; Resource Management; and
Strategy and Doctrine.
Page v
Contents
Preface iii
Figures ix
Tables xi
Summary xiii
Acknowledgments xxi
Acronyms xxiii
Chapter One 1
Introduction
Background 1
Objectives and Approach 3
Perspective 4
Scope 4
Organization of the Report 5
Chapter Two 7
Force-Mix PrinciplesAn Overview
Six Factors in Making Active/Reserve Mix 7
Determinations
Social and Political Considerations 7
Readiness and Availability 8
Personnel Flow Considerations 9
Cost 9
Integrating the Six Factors 10