An Analytical Approach to Reshaping the United States Army

The Total Army Personnel Life Cycle Model (TAPLIM) was developed to study the impacts on the US Army’s enlisted force of key personnel management policies to meet congressional requirements and support a changing national military strategy. The model was used to determine the downsizing strategy that guaranteed optimal manning of the active army and to analyze active and reserve component force-mix alternatives. Its versatility and flexibility enhanced a strategic personnel planning process designed to reshape the US Army as it moves into the 21st century. The decisions made using the model and its supporting multiple-criteria decision-making protocol will save the army millions of dollars through the end of this century.