Includes bibliographical references (pages 79-83).
SUMMARY OR ABSTRACT
Text of Note
This document reports the results of an examination of available data on the rate at which military personnel are involved in military operations (PERSTEMPO), specifically with respect to active units of the Army. The authors found that PERSTEMPO increased in all services after the end of the Cold War, but the largest increase was in the Army and Air Force: During 1991-1996, Army PERSTEMPO was three times the rate of 1975-1989. Combat support bore the heaviest deployment burden. Some units were called on consistently whereas others experienced high demand only for some operations. While only about one soldier in twenty was actually deployed during 1993-1996, a larger portion of the force was engaged in deployment activities, including preparation for and recovery from deployment. The authors' conclusions: Better data are needed to measure PERSTEMPO and quantify its effects; further effort is needed to tie PERSTEMPO information to relevant outcomes; cross-service analysis of PERSTEMPO effects must take into account the different roles, missions, and operating styles of the services; and thought should be given to the longevity of PERSTEMPO effects and causes.