Considering a Cadre Augmented Army - RAND Corporation

-215- An Operational Analysis of Cadre
Figure 5.1—IRR Activation Reduces Size of Annual Recruiting Increases
In the first paper of this dissertation, we assumed that cadre units would be
mobilized at a rate of three BCTs per year so that all units would be ready to deploy over the
course of a ten-year war. If both IRR activation and RC bonuses were not acceptable to the
DoD, it might also consider a smaller cadre augmented force. A cadre force with that
replaces three AC BCTs with three cadre BCTs would reduce average long-run annual costs
by about $2 billion per year. This force could mobilize at a rate of one BCT per year and still
have all cadre units available by year six of the war. To mobilize at this rate, recruiting would
only need to be increased by about 6,000 personnel per year, two-thirds of the 2007
expansion rate. Smaller cadre forces that mobilize less rapidly can still save billions of dollars
per year and could rely only on increased recruiting without the need to activate IRR
personnel or offer bonuses to RC personnel.
5.3—TRAINING CADRE UNITS
Once a cadre unit is filled out, it must be trained. Both the individual soldiers and
units must complete training before a cadre unit can deploy. This section explores the
feasibility of training additional personnel and units during wartime. The first subsection
examines options and constraints for training individual soldiers. The second subsection
explores the feasibility of collective training for cadre units.