Armed Forces News

The system by which officers advance would change significantly, under the “Force of the Future” plans Defense Secretary Ash Carter unveiled June 9. The new guidelines would put the Defense Department in a position to attract and retain the best service members and civilians possible, Carter said. All proposed changes would have to pass muster with Congress.

•      The Defense Officer Personnel Management Act (DOPMA) still would have to meet experience and knowledge requirements in order to advance. Commanders, however, would have the authority to use their discretion to defer separations temporarily.

•      Lateral entry would be expanded, allowing for certain professionals – doctors, for example – to enter the service at a rank commensurate with their civilian experience.

•      Civilian recruiters would have the authority to hire undergraduates or recent graduates directly while at campus job fairs. New hires still would be subject to security clearances.

•      Civilians would receive paid parental leave.

•      An expansion of the Two-Way Talent Exchange program would allow DoD civilians to spend time with a more diverse group of companies. Presently, the program is limited to information-technology fields.