Strategic Studies Institute

Retention & Recruitment Studies

Added March 10, 2011

Type: Op-Ed

Should ROTC Return to the Ivy League? Authored by LTC Ernest A. Szabo.

Each month a member of the SSI faculty writes an editorial for our monthly newsletter. This is the Op-Ed for the March 2011 newsletter.

Added July 20, 2010

Type: Monograph

Got Vision? Unity of Vision in Policy and Strategy: What It Is and Why We Need It. Authored by Dr. Anna Simons.

Having the right "who" to devise strategy is critical to success in counterinsurgency or any asymmetric, cross-cultural encounter. This monograph contends that if we do not get the "who" right, none of the "whats," in terms of what we do, matters.

Added July 08, 2010

Type: Op-Ed

Enter the Era of Persistent Competition for Talent. Authored by COL Carolyn F. Kleiner.

Each month a member of the SSI faculty writes an editorial for our monthly newsletter. This is the Op-Ed for the July 2010 newsletter.

Added May 05, 2010

Type: Monograph

Towards a U.S. Army Officer Corps Strategy for Success: Employing Talent. Authored by Colonel Casey Wardynski, Major David S. Lyle, Lieutenant Colonel (Ret) Michael J. Colarusso.

Historically, the U.S. Army has employed its officers to good effect, but is there need for improvement? Does its current assignments paradigm lead to optimal career satisfaction and productivity? Does it allow officers to develop the depth and breadth of talent the Army needs? Perhaps most importantly, does the Army really know enough about the officer talent it possesses, as well as the requirements for that talent?

Added March 29, 2010

Type: Monograph

Towards a U.S. Army Officer Corps Strategy for Success: Developing Talent. Authored by Colonel Casey Wardynski, Major David S. Lyle, Lieutenant Colonel (Ret) Michael J. Colarusso.

The U.S. Army is almost universally acknowledged as an organization that powerfully develops talent in areas such as leadership, teamwork behavior, work ethics, adaptability, fitness, and many others. Employers know that the Army invests substantially in its people, and that this investment translates directly into enhanced productivity. Despite this well-earned reputation, however, are the Army’s current officer development programs equal to tomorrow’s challenges? Does it suffer from a growing imbalance in talent supply versus demand? Perhaps most importantly, is there an effective relationship between its developmental and employment strategies?

Added February 19, 2010

Type: Monograph

Accessing Talent: The Foundation of a U.S. Army Officer Corps Strategy. Authored by Colonel Casey Wardynski, Major David S. Lyle, Lieutenant Colonel (Ret) Michael J. Colarusso.

Organizations often focus their recruiting efforts on high-payoff markets--how does the Army identify the right market in which to focus its officer accessions efforts? What role does education play in officer accessions? How does the Army identify and go about meeting its officer diversity requirements? Why is establishing the proper ratio between commissioning sources so important?

Added February 01, 2010

Type: Monograph

The Army Officers' Professional Ethic--Past, Present, and Future. Authored by Colonel Matthew Moten.

Do you think the Army officer corps needs a clear statement of its professional ethic? Colonel Matthew Moten does, and he has written it in one page. Join the debate.

Added January 28, 2010

Type: Monograph

The Effects of Multiple Deployments on Army Adolescents. Authored by Dr. Leonard Wong, Dr. Stephen Gerras.

Frequent U.S. Army deployments increase the burden on children who must face the stress and strain of separation and anxiety. The authors take a much-needed, detailed look at the effects of multiple deployments on Army adolescents.

Added January 15, 2010

Type: Monograph

Towards a U.S. Army Officer Corps Strategy for Success: Retaining Talent. Authored by Colonel Casey Wardynski, Major David S. Lyle, Lieutenant Colonel (Ret) Michael J. Colarusso.

Why have Army junior officer retention rates plummeted since 1983? Are the root causes truly understood? What are the long term consequences of failing to retain talented young officers? What steps has the Army taken to meet this challenge, and how effective have they been? What must the Army do to restore junior officer retention rates to previously healthy levels?

Added July 07, 2008

Type: Op-Ed

Expand the U.S. Military? Not So Fast. Authored by Dr. Steven Metz.

Each month a member of the SSI faculty writes an editorial for our monthly newsletter. This is the Op-Ed for the July 2008 newsletter.

Added June 19, 2008

Type: Colloquium Brief

State of the U.S. Military Reserve Components. Authored by Ralph Wipfli, Dr. Dallas D. Owens.

On March 6, 2008, the 21st Century Defense Initiative and the Strategic Studies Institute held a seminar entitled “The State of the U.S. Military Reserve Components.” This seminar focused on the future mission sets and priorities, personnel policies, and deployment of National Guard and Reserve troops.

Added March 12, 2008

Type: Monograph

Drug Intoxicated Irregular Fighters: Complications, Dangers, and Responses. Authored by Dr. Paul Rexton Kan.

The presence of drugged fighters is not unknown in the history of warfare. Irregular fighters have found a ready supply of narcotics for a variety of combat purposes. Such consumption has led to unpredictable fighting, the commission of atrocities, and to the prolongation of internal violence.

Added January 24, 2008

Type: Student (Carlisle) Papers

Women in Combat Compendium. Edited by Colonel Michele M. Putko, Dr. Douglas V. Johnson, II.

The topic of Women in Combat has been one of great emotion, but uncertain factual content until recently. The rules created to deal with the fact that women want to serve in the armed forces have ranged from silly to serious, but the factual bases have changed and the plea of all the contributors is to review the entire issue with objectivity and attention to the facts as they exist.

Added December 05, 2007

Type: Op-Ed

Is it Time to Mandate Volunteerism? Authored by Dr. Leonard Wong.

Each month a member of the SSI faculty writes an editorial for our monthly newsletter. This is the Op-Ed for the December 2007 newsletter.

Added July 01, 2005

Type: Monograph

Who Stays and Who Goes: Army Enlisted Reserve and National Guard Retention. Authored by Dr. Clayton K. S. Chun.

The author examines Army Reserve and National Guard enlisted retention patterns from 1995-2002. This study provides a necessary background to compare retention patterns in the past from those of today. Reserve component leadership could then assess their personnel retention efforts to adjust appropriate public policies to improve their force structure.

Added June 01, 1999

Type: Book

Population Diversity and the U.S. Army. Edited by Colonel Lloyd J. Matthews, USA Ret., Tinaz Pavri.

It is an anthology of selected presentations that not only portrays the main challenges confronting those who must staff the future force in the face of unprecedented demographic flux, but also provides the attitudes and hopes of women and minorities who are part of today's Army.