How will the Force of Future changes affect the military?

COL Jon Thompson — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 21:09:06 -0400

Stars and Stripes posted an article on the DOD Force of the Future that outlines the personnel changes that will affect all of the services. One interesting item in this is that mothers will be non-deployable for a year after giving birth or adoption. Mothers will also accrue 18 weeks of leave after each birth. When there is so much discussion about opening up all MOSs to women, what are the potential impacts of these changes? What would happen to a unit if key personnel could not deploy because of a child birth? I fail to see how these policies will make us a more lethal force. Please share your thoughts.

http://www.stripes.com/news/us/force-of-future-to-reward-talent-diversity-motherhood-1.362717

'Force of future' to reward talent, diversity, motherhood

A package of detailed proposals for reshaping military and defense civilian pays, promotions and quality of life are wide ranging, innovative and many will be controversial.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Aug 13 at 2015 9:42 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 21:42:34 -0400

To address specifically your question about loss of key personnel because of child birth. It's not like it just sneaks up on you. It's a 9 month process. You would know the person is non-deployable likely at the beginning of your work up cycle giving plenty of time to replace.

As for making us "more lethal" that may not be the actual endstate. It may be "more robust." To draw a comparison, if we were building a sportscar "faster" is one endstate, but "more survivable" (in a crash) is another.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Aug 13 at 2015 9:52 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 21:52:40 -0400

The military spews drivel over new things, concepts, personnel actions, and uniforms when we cant beat cavemen in the ME.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Aug 14 at 2015 1:47 AM

Capt Seid Waddell — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 01:47:14 -0400

This is what happens when we forget the primary mission.