Recognizing a need to bolster the understrength combat-support branch ranks, the Army is asking some 300 lieutenants to move into those jobs from their current combat arms roles.
Stars and Stripes reported that the service’s combat support branches need more officers to serve in the adjutant general, air defense, finance, logistics and signal corps ranks. Other areas experiencing shortfalls are information technology engineering, space operations, public affairs and simulation operations.
A related pilot program that began earlier this year has proven fruitful, the report stated, with some 130 infantry and armor officers opting to make the switch.
“By offering more options this year, we hope to get greater participation and have a greater impact on readiness,” said Maj. Thomas Mussman, a readiness analyst with the Army Human Resources Command’s Force Shaping Directorate.
Combat arms positions, Stars and Stripes reported, traditionally are more desirable for junior officers because of the possibility for career advancement.
The article added that the Army does not intend to force officers out of combat arms jobs and into support roles. Rather, the service has taken the approach of trying to convince junior officers that the transitions are critical and necessary.
“Offering these opportunities allows us to retain individual offices at the beginning of their careers while rebalancing the force for long term readiness,” said Col. Shay O’Neal, the readiness command’s director of readiness. “The Army will eventually face shortages at the battalion, brigade, division and corps level if we don’t shape the force now.”
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