Author Description

Because of high rates of deployments combined with other missions, some observers argue that today's smaller Army is edging toward shortfalls in training and personnel readiness. Interviews conducted by RAND's Arroyo Center during 1998 and 1999 at most warfighting brigades in the continental United States indicated that some commanders expect an eventual degradation in the tactical competence of future leaders. This expectation was attributed both to shorter tenure in key developmental positions and fewer opportunities within those assignments to participate in field training.