The U.S. Army Officer Corps: Changing With the Times

What types of officers does the U. S. Army need to sustain the force lead manage resources procure the best possible supplies and equipment and operate in the field in the 21st Century? From 1940s to the present the U. S. Army officer ranks have confronted several difficult issues and complex changes. This SRP examines characteristics of the U. S. Army Officer Corps from past to present. It describes the diversity of the current officer corps compares the pre-and post-Vietnam officer corps and assesses effects of the post-Vietnam War drawdown. It traces development of Officer Personnel Management System (OPMS) XXI and the newly developed Career Field Designation (CFD) system. It describes the impact these changes have made on the promotion system and selection to senior level schools. It concludes with recommendations for selection of future Army officers.