Managing a Decline in Enlisted Endstrength

This research memorandum investigates whether enlisted endstrength cuts can be implemented to meet the following objectives: The personnel structure of the Navy after the strength cuts should be stable, advancement opportunity should change as little as possible, and endstrength cuts should be taken without having to extend involuntary separations beyond current policy. The analysis shows that these goals can be met by phasing cuts over a number of years if the percentage of petty officers in the inventory is simultaneously increased by a small amount.