The Impact of OPTEMPO on Soldiers and Families

Since the end of the Cold War, U.S. soldiers have been involved in an increasing number of peacekeeping and humanitarian operations. The U.S. Army Medical Research Unit-Europe surveyed soldiers and leaders N 2,256 stationed in Germany to determine 1 a useful measure of operations tempo OPTEMPO, and 2 the impact of OPTEMPO on soldier career intentions and well-being. Two methods of measuring OPTEMPO were identified simply adding up the number of deployments soldiers had been on, and assessing deployment load, the total number of deployments averaged across the number of years of service. Results indicated that soldiers with fewer years of service had been on fewer deployments, but that their deployment load was higher. In addition, soldiers identified the frequency of deployments as affecting their decision to leave the military and as creating a strain on their families. Soldiers with higher deployment load were also more likely to report lower levels of motivation and pride in the Army and unit. The concept of deployment load is important in understanding the impact of OPTEMPO on soldiers.