Considering a Cadre Augmented Army - RAND Corporation

-71- A Budgetary Analysis of Cadre
6. FUTURE ROTATION GUIDANCE
In all of the analyses thus far, we assumed that the DoD will continue to follow the
rotation guidance as of 2007 in the future. However, it is possible that the DoD will issue
different rotation guidance in response to future force demands. The rotation guidance as of
2007 was issued with an awareness of the requirements of operations in Iraq and
Afghanistan. 80 Future wars may lead to different assumptions. Changes to rotation guidance
can significantly affect the cost savings from a cadre augmented force. This chapter explores
the impact of changing rotation guidance for AC and RC units on the attractiveness of a
cadre augmented force.
6.1—AC ROTATION GUIDANCE
As of 2007, the DoD has stated that its goal is to provide two years at home for
every one year deployed for AC units (1:2). However, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have
required deploying almost every AC unit with only one year at home between deployments. 81
Although this practice has been criticized, it is possible that the DoD will continue to deploy
units in this manner. It is also possible that the repercussions of this practice will lead the
DoD to be more cautious with rotation guidance in the future. Therefore, it is worth
exploring the attractiveness of a cadre augmented force under both assumptions. We
examine the effect of rotating AC units both more and less intensively in future wars.
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80 Prior to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, overseas deployments of six months followed by 24 months at
home were considered the norm. [Williams (2001), p. 192]
81 Korb, Rundlet, and Duggan (2007); GAO (2007a)