How do you think quota-based policies affect readiness?

There were three reasons I got out of the military in 1985 after serving 9 and 1/2 years. This was one of them. This is not a new thing. Yes, promotions back then were also based on merit, however too many people were being promoted based on diversity also. There were way too may unqualified people being promoted into leadership positions that were clueless. Today I read the Army Times newspaper and see the results. Women who are commanding officers of warships being relieved of command. I saw were there was a female CSM in an Infantry unit being accused of creating a toxic culture. Once placed in these positions it is nearly impossible to get them out without consequences. I didn't like it back then and am so sorry to see what is happening in today's military.

IMHO, rank quota based on gender and/or race is not a good policy to have. I admit, there is never going to be (at least in our lifetime) a solid one-fix all. But, when you tell folks that certain genders and ranks will get billets because of what they are, instead of merit and hard work, all that will do is perpetuate the animosity and disdain. It's not solving a problem. It's keeping the problem alive.

LTC Thomas (Tom) Jones, I am not generally in favor of "quota" systems. I think the military to recruit, promote, and retain based on merit.

However, given the history of bias in most of our systems, the one silver lining to quota systems is that recruiters and leaders had to learn how to recruit, promote, and retain people that were different than them, that see the world differently, and that have had different experiences.

Is this plus side worth the bending of the goal of meritocracy for the military? IMHO not really. But, the military has a long way to go to be appealing to a large swath of citizens, and learning how to communicate and close that civil-military gap might help more than having X number or percentage of recruits of Y type.