Sabbaticals
In yesterday’s USAToday, RAND sociologist Laura Miller presents Army leaders with an idea on how they can attract and retain mid-level officers to help manage the expanding manpower needs of the force and reduce stress on soldiers and families. Her suggestion, sabbaticals – give officers year-long sabbaticals in business or government to give them a respite from brutal deployment cycles and offer them the chance to develop capabilities for future deployments and higher-level assignments.
The Army is well aware of the growing manpower crisis, both in terms of enlisted and offer ranks, and has recently begun bolstering retention incentives, offering cash bonuses, expanding graduate education opportunities, and providing options when it come to future postings. These initiatives have all been tied to additional service commitments.
While Miller’s suggestion is certainly a good one, there is also a far more simple, far less expensive suggestion which might help address the problem. Repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and allow trained and qualified officers to remain in the ranks even if they are gay? The “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law has cost our military 12,000 service members since 1993 – that is not to mention the men and women who choose not to enlist in the first place or reenlist because of the ban.
Army leaders who are serious about addressing the service’s personnel issues need to begin explaining to their civilian leadership that “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is hurting the military and recommend that it be repealed.
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05-09-08
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