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Your search for Defense Policy found 254 results.

Feasibility of Parental Leave

/analyses/2019/07/feasibility-of-parental-leave

This study examines the implications of offering service members noncontinuous caregiver leave (to care for infants or newly adopted children). House Report 115-676 directed the Secretary of Defense to submit a report assessing the feasibility of flexible parental leave. Policy subject matter experts and commanders across the Department of Defense provided key policy and operational implications. Before implementing a noncontinuous caregiver leave policy, we recommend (1) identifying the needs that can be satisfied by noncontinuous caregiver leave that are not met by other time-off options, (2) considering various types of flexible policies, and (3) assessing the benefits and drawbacks from two recent applications of noncontinuous caregiver leave (2015–2016 Department of the Navy policy and the current US Coast Guard parental leave policy). Taken together, these recommendations will increase the likelihood that any policy change will meet service member needs while balancing mission requirements.

(to care for infants or newly adopted children). House Report 115-676 directed the Secretary of Defense to submit a report assessing the feasibility of flexible parental leave. Policy subject matter experts and commanders across the Department of Defense provided key policy and operational implications. Before implementing a noncontinuous caregiver leave policy, we recommend (1) identifying the needs ... of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, addresses feasibility in terms of implications for policy and operational readiness. We address the question, What would happen if the parental leave policy were changed

David Knoll

/our-experts/knoll-david

David Knoll is a CNA expert in irregular warfare, military innovation, and force planning analysis.

to 2024, Knoll was the director of analysis in the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Policy. His team led the development of Defense Planning Scenarios, the primary analytical guidance for force planning in the Department of Defense. He was also on the 2022 National Defense Strategy core writing team. From 2022 to 2023, Knoll concurrently served as director of the OSD Policy, Joint Staff ... of Defense Medal for Exceptional Public Service. He has a PhD and a Master of Arts in international relations from Tufts University, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in foreign affairs and religious

Service Level Differences in Tuition Assistance

/analyses/2021/04/service-level-differences-in-tuition-assistance

Tuition Assistance (TA) is the primary education benefit that the Department of Defense (DOD) provides to Service members to ease the financial burdens of continuing education while serving in the military. A 2017 CNA study revealed several Service-level differences in Service members’ TA use and TA outcomes. In this study, we use qualitative methods to identify possible reasons for these differences. Synthesizing our analysis of existing policy, discussions with subject matter experts (SMEs), and focus groups in all four Services, we find that variation across the Services in TA policy, TA understanding, occupational responsibilities and operational tempo (OPTEMPO), as well as support from senior leaders and immediate supervisors is likely the primary driver of these Service-level differences. We suggest that DOD standardize TA policy, the financial TA benefit, and the content and delivery of TA messaging. We also encourage the Services to ensure TA buy-in from senior leadership and counsel Service members on effective TA use.

that the Department of Defense (DOD) provides to Service members to ease the financial burdens of continuing education while serving in the military. A 2017 CNA study revealed several Service-level differences in Service members’ TA use and TA outcomes. In this study, we use qualitative methods to identify possible reasons for these differences. Synthesizing our analysis of existing policy, discussions with subject matter experts (SMEs), and focus groups in all four Services, we find that variation across the Services in TA policy, TA understanding, occupational responsibilities and operational

Evaluating Suitability Across Services

/analyses/2020/10/evaluating-suitability-across-services

This report focuses on two distinct, but related topics: enlistment waivers and entry-level separations. The waiver process recognizes that some young people have made mistakes and overcome their past behavior or have had a medical condition that warrants review. A one-time incident or issue may not accurately reflect the character or potential for someone to serve. ELS length and administrative separation policies provide an orderly means to discharge those found to be unsuitable to serve. In this light, two offices within the OSD–Personnel and Readiness (the Offices of the Under Secretary of Defense for Accession Policy (AP) and Officer and Enlisted Personnel Management (OEPM)) asked CNA to evaluate the Services’ policies, practices, and successes for determining suitability for service at accession (enlistment waivers) and in service (ELS length and reasons for early separation). In this second of two reports, we 1) determine the probability of, and reasons for, separation among those who access with enlistment waivers, 2) examine the arguments for and against extending ELS, as well as inconsistencies in ELS separation reasons, and 3) make recommendations.

an orderly means to discharge those found to be unsuitable to serve. In this light, two offices within the OSD–Personnel and Readiness (the Offices of the Under Secretary of Defense for Accession Policy (AP ... , and by emphasizing honorable service. In this light, two offices within OSD Personnel and Readiness (P&R)—the Offices of the Under Secretary of Defense for Accession Policy (AP) and Officer ... waivers, 2) examine the arguments for and against extending ELS, as well as inconsistencies in ELS separation reasons, and 3) make recommendations. As the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) seeks

Future Policy Options for US Efforts Against Al Qaeda

/analyses/2017/future-policy-options-for-us-efforts-against-al-qaeda

In its independent assessment of U.S. government efforts against Al-Qaeda that was mandated by Congress via the 2015 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), CNA concluded that the current U.S. strategy toward Al-Qaeda was unlikely to achieve its stated goals to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat the group. CNA recommended that the U.S. government should undertake a new review of its policy goals and overarching strategy against Al-Qaeda. This occasional paper presents three potential policy options for the U.S. government to consider, should it seek to undertake such a review. These options are retrenchment, escalation, and containment.

policy options for the U.S. government to consider, should it seek to undertake such a review. These options are retrenchment, escalation, and containment. Section 1228 of the 2015 National Defense ... Future Policy Options for US Efforts Against Al Qaeda Future Policy Options for U.S. Efforts Against Al-Qaeda In its independent assessment of U.S. government efforts against Al-Qaeda that was mandated by Congress via the 2015 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), CNA concluded that the current U.S. strategy toward Al-Qaeda was unlikely to achieve its stated goals to disrupt, dismantle

Samuel Bendett

/our-experts/bendett-samuel

Samuel Bendett is a CNA advisor focusing on Russian military technology and capabilities, drones, robotic and autonomous military systems, and AI.

to joining CNA, Bendett worked at the National Defense University on emerging and disruptive technologies to aid the Department of Defense (DOD) in responding to domestic and international crisis situations. His previous experience includes working for the U.S. Congress, the private sector and nonprofit organizations on foreign policy, international conflict resolution, and defense and security ... Samuel Bendett’s research focuses on Russian defense and technology developments; uncrewed, robotic and autonomous military systems; artificial intelligence; and Russian military capabilities. Bendett

Veronica De Allende

/our-experts/deallende-veronica

Veronica De Allende is a CNA expert in international and development economics, with 15 years of experience as an operations research scientist at the Defense Department.

DeAllende-Veronica Veronica De Allende is a CNA expert in international and development economics, with 15 years of experience as an operations research scientist at the Defense Department. /images/Experts/DeAllende-Veronica.webp Veronica De Allende is an expert in international and development economics, with 15 years of experience as a U.S. Department of Defense operations research scientist. Recently, she was Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Advisor at the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Policy, Stability and Humanitarian Affairs and at the Defense Security Cooperation Agency. She has

CNA’s Dynamic Decision Model for Servicemember Retention

/quick-looks/2021/dynamic-decision-model

CNA’s retention models have helped the Department of Defense make personnel policy choices for more than half a century. This work has culminated in a retention model with the flexibility to evaluate the widest possible range of policy options: the Dynamic Decision Model (DDM).

Dynamic Decision Model CNA’s retention models have helped the Department of Defense make personnel policy choices for more than half a century. This work has culminated in a retention model with the flexibility to evaluate the widest possible range of policy options: the Dynamic Decision Model (DDM). CNA’s retention models have helped the Department of Defense make personnel policy choices for more than half a century. This work has culminated in a retention model with the flexibility to evaluate the widest possible range of policy options: the Dynamic Decision Model (DDM). CNA’s DDM

Sarah Fusco

/our-experts/fusco-sarah

Sarah Fusco is a specialist in international and non-traditional security threats, including climate change and national security.

as in the Indo-Pacific region. From 2022 to 2023, she was assigned to the Office of Arctic and Global Resilience, where she served as a policy advisor within the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy. During her time in the Pentagon, her work mainly focused on incorporating non-traditional security challenges into existing national defense programming, collaborating often with the services

Homeland Defense Role of the US Navy

/analyses/2021/08/homeland-defense-role-of-the-us-navy

In the late 1990s, the US national security policy community was debating the role of the US Navy in coastal warfare and continental defense. The author of this paper sought to contribute to this emerging debate by examining the US Navy's contribution to these aspects of homeland defense over time.

Homeland Defense Role of the US Navy The Homeland Defense Role of the US Navy In the late 1990s, the US national security policy community was debating the role of the US Navy in coastal warfare and continental defense. The author of this paper sought to contribute to this emerging debate by examining the US Navy's contribution to these aspects of homeland defense over time. The issue Should the Navy carry out homeland defense functions? If so. which ones? Recently there has been a flurry of thinking in the US national security policy community regarding the role of the US Navy