CIAO DATE: 01/05

Filling the Ranks: Transforming the U.S. Military System

Cindy Williams

MIT Press

November 2004

 

Abstract

The war in Iraq and the problematic military occupation of that country have called into question the adequacy of America’s all-volunteer force. Politicians and others have expressed doubts about its equity and capability; some have called for the reinstatement of the draft. Yet over the past twenty years the all-volunteer military has become a technologically advanced force that has contributed to America’s overall military advantage. This book analyzes current military pay and personnel policies and identifies changes needed to maintain and improve America’s all-volunteer force.

Filling the Ranks argues that to attract qualified and motivated volunteers, the armed forces need to offer better tangible inducements—pay, benefits, and training—to accompany such intangible rewards as pride in serving one’s country. Many of the policies related to tangible rewards were established shortly after World War II and are no longer effective. Filling the Ranks presents detailed assessments of U.S. military pay and personnel policies in light of the strategic, demographic, economic, and labor realities of the future. It identifies specific problems that today’s military career patterns, training, pay, and benefits pose for officers and enlisted men and women in both active duty and reserve forces, discussing such issues as competition with the private sector for talent, the need to restructure compensation, and provision of family support. It offers recommendations for more flexible, adaptive, and effective policies and a blueprint for achieving them.

 

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments

1. Introduction (PDF, 28 pgs, 117.5 KB)
   Cindy Williams

2. Overview of the Current Personnel and Compensation System
   Paul F. Hogan

3. The Personnel Needs of the Future Force
   Owen R. Coté Jr.

4. The War for Talent in the Private Sector
   Thomas M. Strawn

5. The Military Profession and Intangible Rewards for Service
   Elizabeth A. Stanley-Mitchell

6. Overhauling Enlisted Careers and Compensation
   Donald J. Cymrot and Michael L. Hansen

7. Changing the Officer Personnel System
   Bernard Rostker

8. Restructuring Reserve Compensation
   Glenn A. Gotz

9. Transforming In-kind Compensation and Benefits
   Carla Tighe Murray

10. Transforming Support to Military Families and Communities
    Joyce Wessel Raezer

11. Developing Tools to Assess Future Choices
    Diana Lien and Aline O. Quester

12. Leadership and Perseverance: Overcoming the Barriers to Change
    Arnold L. Punaro

13. Implementing Changes in U.S. Military Personnel Policy
    Stephen Peter Rosen

14. Conclusions and Recommendations
    Cindy Williams

Appendix A. The People of Today’s Military

Appendix B. Military Ranks and Pay Grades

Appendix C. Up-or-out Points for Enlisted Members

Contributors

Index

About the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs

About MIT’s Security Studies Program