Options for Filling Vacant Officer Positions

The U.S. military services and the combatant commands have reported vacancies in funded officer billets, a situation that can have adverse effects on organizational performance and mission readiness. At the same time, evolution in the capabilities of the enlisted force and in the nature of military work may have given rise to opportunities to fill these billets with personnel other than officers. To better understand how to match the Department of Defense's changing workforce with its evolving manpower needs, the authors examine opportunities to enhance or maintain personnel fill rates through alternative mixes of military manpower, especially increased use of enlisted personnel, warrant officers, and limited-duty officers. This report discusses how the enlisted force has evolved, reviews current manpower policy, proposes a framework and criteria for considering the conversion of positions currently designated for officers for performance by others, and applies proposed criteria to six specific positions to illustrate the process. The authors conclude that the Department of Defense may indeed have opportunities to better leverage the experience, education, and capability of enlisted personnel, warrant officers, and limited-duty officers in some billets now designated for officers. However, new and revised guidance is required.