Accession Number:

ADA286412

Title:

Report of the Defense Science Board Task Force on Readiness

Descriptive Note:

Final rept.

Corporate Author:

DEFENSE SCIENCE BOARD WASHINGTON DC

Personal Author(s):

Report Date:

1994-06-01

Pagination or Media Count:

81.0

Abstract:

This document contains the final report of the DSB Task Force on Readiness. The report focuses on the Departments readiness management and oversight processes, especially key indicators for measuring readiness and candidate methodologies for providing early warning of potential readiness problem and on other matters affecting individual and collective readiness. The Task Force did not look in detail into acquisition, technology, or industrial base issues related to readiness the adequacy of forces to carry out the Bottom-Up Review or nuclear forces strategy and requirements. The Task Force concluded that although there are some downward indicators, the general readiness posture of todays conventional and unconventional forces is acceptable in most measurable areas. However, the Task Force reported that is observed enough concerns that they were convinced that unless the Department of Defense and the Congress focus on readiness, the armed forces could slip into a hollow status. For analytical purposes, the Task Force divided readiness into three levels unit, joint and combined force, and national. The Task Force found that there currently exists a well-defined reporting system to evaluate the current readiness of combat and support units. It found the Departments systems for predicting future unit readiness significantly less mature and less comprehensive. The Task Force determined that the Department has neither a clear definition of joint readiness nor of a system to measure it. At the highest level, national readiness is important to ensure that our forces have sufficient readiness to carry out our National Military Strategy. The Task Force deferred judgment on this level of readiness

Descriptors:

• *DECISION MAKING
• *LOGISTICS MANAGEMENT
• *COMBAT READINESS
• *OPERATIONAL READINESS
• *MILITARY CAPABILITIES
• *INDICATORS
• *DEFENSE PLANNING
• COST EFFECTIVENESS
• COST ANALYSIS
• COMBAT SUPPORT
• FORECASTING
• THREAT EVALUATION
• MASS DESTRUCTION WEAPONS
• MILITARY FORCE LEVELS

Subject Categories:

• Administration and Management
• Economics and Cost Analysis
• Military Forces and Organizations
• Defense Systems
• Logistics, Military Facilities and Supplies
• Military Operations, Strategy and Tactics
• Chemical, Biological and Radiological Warfare

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE