While all U.S. military services have strived to achieve greater total force integration and a stronger total force culture, impediments limit the achievement of these objectives. This research identifies policies and practices that contribute to improved integration and a stronger total force culture, focusing on innovative approaches that could impart cross-component knowledge and provide rewards for service members to work across components.
To analyze policy options that would improve utilization of reserve forces, the authors assess how Army active and reserve forces are used. Converting billets from low-use to high-use career fields within a component could partially, but not completely, rebalance the reserve components. Converting billets from a low-use career field in one component to a high-use career field in another is unlikely in the near term, but an option in the long run.
Potential for Reducing Shortages in Army Enlisted Occupations
This report examines ways in which distance learning can help the Army more quickly alleviate active component manpower shortages in understrength military occupations. The analysis finds that distance learning can enable faster completion of reclassification training, faster completion of professional development courses, and more efficient forms of skill training, depending on the nature of the course materials selected for instruction via distance learning. The analysis addresses the costs and benefits of these potential changes as well as potential implementation problems that could raise costs or reduce benefits.