Policy and Methodology to Incorporate Wartime Plans into Total U.S. Air Force Manpower Requirements

Estimating Air Force manpower requirements can be more complex–both in methodology and policy–for scenarios less extensive than the traditional two theater wars. The Air Force is reexamining how it plans its manpower resources, especially for scenarios less extensive than the tracitional two major theater wars. This report presents and demonstrates a methodology RAND developed to assist in this process, drawing lessons from the recent Total Force Assessment. Among the lessons are the need to beware of double-counting and the wisdom of improving quality control, accountability, and auditing trails.