Non-Deployables: An Increasing Challenge for the Army

As units prepare to deploy many Soldiers become labeled as non-deployable. The reasons are broad, ranging from minor, temporary conditions to suffering from combat related injuries. Human resources managers must manage Soldiers to best serve the Armys requirements and ensure deploying units personnel readiness is 102 of authorized strength. Commanders preparing to deploy should not be burdened with processing non-deployable Soldiers. Deploying commanders must be concerned with preparing Soldiers who are going to war. Army commanders challenge in managing non-deployable Soldiers impacts deploying units personnel readiness for combat. Even talented, trained combat veterans who become non-deployable impact the Armys deployable strength posture. Also, establishing more restrictive personnel policies leading to separation and temporarily increasing Army end strength may improve the Armys deployable strength posture. Ultimately, the Armys inability to separate or reassign non-deployable Soldiers negatively impacts operational units personnel readiness for combat.