Research for Type A

Recent Soviet press statements reflect a growing conviction that the emerging 'Pacific Century' has important implications for the USSR. While seemingly downgrading the military component of Soviet Far East presence, Soviet leaders are contemplating various unprecedented measures. Among them are the creation of 'free economic zones' and the opening of several ports, including Vladivostok. This research memorandum assesses the status of these developments, discusses some of their implications, and examines the possible nature of economic activity in the zones and potential sites for them. Also briefly noted are new trends in Soviet economic thinking.

This research memorandum documents the continuation and retention behavior of Navy nurses from 1974 through 1988. Aggregate continuation rates are presented along with cross-tabulations by years of service, paygrade, obligation status, entry cohort, accession program, and specialty. Policies to close the gap between nurse corps inventory and requirements are considered.

Soviet military and political leaders are currently engaged in a debate about instituting a cadre-militia system. Such a system would consist of a significantly smaller regular army, manned either by conscripts or volunteers, and a territorial militia based on universal service. Influential military men appear to be divided on how to respond to the prospect of reorganization. Depending upon its ultimate form, the change to a cadre-militia system could severely restrict the Soviet Union's ability to conduct large-scale offensive operations. The discussion will probably continue for some time to come, and its resolution promises to have far-reaching consequences for the security policy of the United States and its allies.

This study, 'Program Documentation and Reporting Requirements: Reducing the Burden on Program Managers,' began in 1987 at the request of the acting Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Engineering and Systems (ASN-RE&S). He expressed concern that the proliferation of requirements for documentation and reporting interferes with program managers' ability to do their primary job, the efficient acquisition of quality weapon systems. During the early part of the study, two separate but related issues also became matters of concern: Defense Enterprise Programs (DEPs) and baselining. Those two topics are also addressed in this memorandum. This memorandum provides an overview of the study.