Considering a Cadre Augmented Army - RAND Corporation

-217- An Operational Analysis of Cadre
to estimate the number of recruits in the training system in each month from 2002 to
2006. 141 Figure 5.2 shows the number of recruits in the training system relative to the
capacity from 2002 to 2006.
Figure 5.2—Fort Jackson Training Capacity
14000
12000
Maximum Capacity = 13,500
10000
8000
6000
4000
2000
0
Jan-02 Jul-02 Jan-03 Jul-03 Jan-04 Jul-04 Jan-05 Jul-05 Jan-06 Jul-06
The number of recruits being trained at Fort Jackson increased substantially from
2004 to 2005. The peak volumes in 2005 and 2006 are near full capacity. 142 Training volumes
are at their highest in the summer months (June-October) because many high school
graduates begin their training during that time. As of 2005-2006, Fort Jackson had excess
capacity only during off-peak times. Therefore, Fort Jackson could only increase the number
of recruits being trained if they were brought in during off peak months. 143 We estimate that
____________
141 We extracted the number of individuals scheduled to attend each basic training course (course number 750-
BT) and their start and end times from 2001 to 2007 (we do not include 2001 and 2007 in our data because
these years do not represent a steady-state). We entered this data into a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet and built a
model that increments the number of personnel being trained when each course begins (by the appropriate
class size) and decrements the number of personnel training when each course ends.
142 From 2002-2004, Fort Jackson averaged about 7,000 recruits being trained at any given time. In 2005 and
2006, the average jumped to 9,000. The total number of new recruits dropped from 2004 to 2005 [CBO(2006),
p. 5] so this difference seems to be the result of shifting BCT responsibilities among training centers rather
than an increase in the overall number of recruits.
143 The Fort Jackson Public Affairs Officer made this point in our correspondence: “Our early estimate is that
we can absorb any directed increase - given that some 60% of our load is during the summer surge period
(May-Oct), if we are able to bring more applicants in during the non-surge months.” Also see Phillips (2007).