Research for Annotated Briefings

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Seasonal Patterns in SEA Fleet Gains and Losses
October 1, 1999
Historically, the level of fleet manning has varied over the course of the year. Arrivals to and departures from the sea fleet have not coincided well, resulting in significant understaffing at certain times of the year. The objective of this report is to recommend policy options to bring about better matching of enlisted sea gains and losses to reduce the seasonal variation in sea manning. We first document the pattern of seasonal variation. We then decompose the transitions to and from the sea fleet to determine the sources of the variation. Finally, we offer an initial look at certain policies that aim to reduce the seasonal variation. We find substantial variation in sea manning over the course of the year for both E1-E4 and E5-E9 sailors. The main contributor to the seasonal variation in E1-E4 net gains is strength losses at End of Active Obligated Service dates (EAOSs). We construct several policy options that aim to reduce seasonal variation by shifting these EAOSs dates so that they match sea gains more closely.
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MC 2M/ATE MOS Study: Final Report
September 1, 1999
This briefing summarizes the findings and conclusions resulting from the CNA Marine Corps Microminiature/Automatic Test Equipment Military Occupational Specialty Code (2M/ATE MOS) study. The purpose of the study was to analyze a number of alternative Circuit Card Assemblies (CCA) repair strategies for MC ground systems. The alternatives considered ranged from evacuating all CCA functions to repairing them all. We also considered varying the repairer workforce composition and repair location. We found that the current repair practices, assuming that the MC assigns the number of repairer man-years we estimate are needed, saves about $75 million a year over what it would cost of evacuate and replenish failed CCAs. More money could be saved if all CCAs were repaired at a central location (Electronic Maintenance Companies). The report also finds that 2M workload does not appear to warrant a primary MOS.
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MCRD Attrition and Comparisons with the Navy
July 1, 1999
This briefing examines bootcamp attrition in the Navy and the Marine Corps, comparing recent attrition rates, historical rates, and FY99 predictions. Recent bootcamp attrition in the Navy has been considerably higher than in the past; however, Marine Corps bootcamp attrition is well within the historical averages for both males and females. The briefing also examines Marine Corps bootcamp attrition for regulars and reserves, looking at the two Marine Corps Recruit Depots (MCRDs) in San Diego and Paris Island.
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SimNavy Phase 1
June 1, 1999
This paper summarizes phase 1 development of an agent-based interactive game called SimNavy. The purpose of the game is to teach users through simulated experience how best to manage the Navy's resources in order to reach operational objectives. This paper provides a description of the SimNavy concept and the role CNA could play in its future development.
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Bootcamp Attrition Rates: Predictions For FY 1999
May 1, 1999
This briefing examines bootcamp attrition, including predictions for FY99 rates, subsequent fleet attrition, and the role of recruit quality. We project an FY99 Navy bootcamp attrition rate of 20 percent, up 4 percent from FY98. We found holding down bootcamp attrition did not result in increased fleet attrition for these accession cohorts, as measured by 33-month attrition rates for accessions from FY90-FY95. Finally, we observed changes in recruit quality explain only a small part of attrition increase, as measured by high school diploma graduates, AFQT, and Delayed Entry Program (DEP).
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Are the DHP Savings From Utilization Management Achievable ?
March 1, 1999
This annotated briefing examines if Defense Health Program (DHP) savings from Utilization Management (UM) are achievable. We examined the effects of reductitions in the DHP budget associated with efficiencies arising from practicing UM at military medical facilities and clinics. We looked at key measures of efficiency and cost between DHP and the civilian health care market. We also determined how the system would respond to cuts in the budget due to UM efficiencies. Finally, we created a mathematical model that captured the way that money could be saved by practicing UM within DHP. We found that the mandated UM savings are achievable; however, the DHP faces several potentially difficult problems that will make it hard to achieve the intended savings.
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Youth Smoking In The Country And In The Military: Findings And Ideas
January 1, 1999
This briefing examines the rising number of youth smoking in the United States, the effects smoking has on bootcamp performance, the success of cessation programs in the military, and proposes several ideas for future research. The report argues that because of the large numbers, captive audience, and collection of useful data, bootcamp provides a unique setting for testing smoking intervention strategies. The briefing concludes by addressing the problems the military exchanges will face if a substantial federal tax on cigarettes becomes law. DTIC AD-A360279
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Analysis of Proposed Sea Tour Extension Program
January 1, 1999
The Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Manpower, and Personnel asked CNA to analyze ways to transform the size and shape of the enlisted force to better meet the Navy's future requirements at an affordable cost. In this research, we analyze how the Sea Tour Extension Program (STEP) could improve sea/shore balance in the Navy. We discuss who would be eligible and how many sailors would likely extend their sea tours in response to STEP. We also examine how much STEP would improve sea manning, the cost of the program, and how large of a bonus would be effective. We found that a STEP bonus of about $250 per month would eliminate manning differential in the undermanned ratings and improve sea/shore rotation in ratings targeted solely for sea/shore ratio reasons. Such a STEP would have a program cost of about $23 million.
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FCC Baseline Subsidy Analysis
January 1, 1999
The DON is seeking to maximize the availability of child-care spaces within the available funding by adjusting the subsidies paid for different types of childcare. Military childcare is provided either in Child Development Centers (CDCs) or through the Family Child Care (FCC) program in private homes or bases. PDASN(M&RA) asked CNA to take a quick look at the subsidy program. The purpose of the study is to establish a baseline for FCC use and cost in the DON, with particular attention to initiatives to subsidize FCC. Recommendations include improving routine data collection and reporting, instituting regular parent and provider surveys, giving subsidies only to 0-3 year olds, and setting subsidies in line with local markets. In addition, we considered what an evaluation plan to monitor the effectiveness of FCC subsidies should include. Part of the report includes a suggestion for a follow-on study that would implement the evaluation plan. DTIC AD-B242825
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Options for Improving Access to Health Care for Retirees
September 1, 1998
CNA was asked to determine the costs of extending three different types of benefits to the Medicare-eligible population. The first options would extend the National Mail Order Pharmacy (NMOP) program. The second option is to offer the DOD Medicare-eligible beneficiaries enrollment in the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program (FEHBP). The third option is to offer a Medicare supplemental insurance package sponsored by DOD. The three plans offer different sets of benefits and a wide variation in cost. The least expensive plan is the NMOP, costing about $267 million. The most expensive plan would be to offer FEHBP, costing DOD about $1.6 billion. In the middle of these two plans is our proposed Medigap subsidy in which DOD could design and offer its own unique Medigap plan covering core benefits. It would cost around $600-$650 million.
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