Considering a Cadre Augmented Army - RAND Corporation

-4- Introduction
The Army has also shifted its force structure paradigm to plan for rotation. As of
mid-2007, the Army is changing from a system of tiered readiness to a system of cyclical
readiness called Army Force Generation (ARFORGEN). Under ARFORGEN, units rotate
through three readiness pools as shown in Figure II: reset/train, ready, and available.
Figure II—ARFORGEN Rotation Plan 9
Figure II shows that ARFORGEN rotates active and reserve units through the three
different force pools over time. This plan implicitly assumes that units rotate home after a
fixed period of time deployed rather than deploying units for the duration of a conflict.
In response to this change in force planning, this dissertation considers whether a
change in the force mix might be appropriate. The force mix that was optimal for fighting
two simultaneous wars without rotation may no longer be optimal for fighting wars fought
with rotation. 10
II—IMPLICATIONS OF ROTATION FOR READINESS
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9 McNeil (2005)
10 The impetus for this analysis is best described in a 2007 Defense Science Board report, which states that the
Army needs “to rethink how force structure is allocated between the active and reserve components for the
global war on terrorism, which could involve lengthy stabilization and reconstruction periods following
combat. The challenge the Army faces is buying forces based on whatever ‘future’ they are planning for.” [DSB
(2007), p. 24]