FORT HUACHUCA, Arizona -- Talent management and proper unit manning is a priority for commanders in today's Army. In an effort to improve the overall understanding of the current personnel management business practices used by the Army, Sgt. Maj. Peter Robles, the U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command (INSCOM) G-1 sergeant major, visited the U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence (USAICoE). There he provided a series of briefings to senior leaders and personnel managers Aug. 10 and 11.
"The primary purpose of my visit was to educate leaders on the Army manning business rules," said Robles. "The system is fairly complex and there are a lot of pieces that ultimately determine how a unit is manned."
"In the past, under the ARFORGEN (Army Force Generation) program, units that were in the deployment cycle could expect to have close to all of their authorized positions filled. Under the current business practices, units are filled to their "Target" strength," said Robles.
Target strength is driven by the Enlisted Distribution Target Model which incorporates data from the annual Army Manning Guidance, the annual Modified Table of Organization and Equipment, and the Active Component Manning Category of a particular unit.
In the Active Component Manning Category units are designed as Urgent Forces, Rotational Units, or Essential Forces. Urgent Forces, like Army Special Operations Command, are targeted at a maximum 100% manning and a minimum of 90%. Rotational Units, which include units like Brigade Combat Teams, Combat Aviation Brigades, and Division and Corps Headquarters, have a planned target of 95% manning with adjustments between units based on the priorities of the Senior Commander. Units like the TRADOC, INSCOM, and U.S. Army Garrison Fort Huachuca, are considered Essential Forces and are targeted at a minimum 80% manning.
"The bottom line is in some cases units could be manned with less than their authorized strength for certain enlisted MOS's (Military Occupational Specialties)," said Robles.
Robles also provided the audience with a few tips on how to ensure their manning concerns are properly reflected in the system. "Proper reporting on your USR (Unit Status Report) is key," said Robles. "The commander's comments must state how their manning shortfalls are effecting unit readiness. Simply saying that you are at 60% authorized strength of a certain MOS is not enough to cause a change to the Target when it is briefed at the ASRU (Army Strategic Readiness Update)."
"It is important for senior leaders, personnel managers, and Soldiers to understand this system, and how it effects the assignment process, so they can manage expectations" said Robles.
Social Sharing