Wednesday, May 18, 2016
The U.S. Army Study Program’s (ASP) annual guidance, released by the Army Study Program Management Office (ASPMO), provides broad guidelines developed and approved by the Senior Analyst Advisory Board (SAAB). This guidance provides the framework for the fiscal year analysis agenda and kicks off the annual army study cycle for commands to develop their proposals for the upcoming year.
The guidance is issued in the spring of each calendar year.
The fiscal year 2017 guidance was issued to participating commands on Mar. 16, 2016. Approximately 35 major commands with their own distinct mission and requirements will participate in the study program. These approved focus areas are supplemented by the Army Campaign Plan, Army Posture Statement, and priorities set by the Secretary and Chief of Staff of the Army. The guidance is signed and issued by the Deputy Chiefs of Staff G-8 and G-3/5/7 prior to dissemination.
The Studies Program Coordination Committee, co-chaired by the ADCS G-8 and ADCS G-3/5/7, approves the study program after the annual Army Scoring Conference takes place in early summer. The Army Study Program Management Office has over 5,500 studies in their database.
The Army Study Program, outlined in Army Regulation (AR) 5-5, Army Studies and Analyses, is an annual program focusing on near-term analysis. The ASP is funded by Operations and Maintenance Funds, and has been successful in leveraging overseas contingency funds and year-end funds for studies that are appropriate. The ASP studies utilize internal Army analysis organizations, federally funded research and development centers, and commercial contractors to conduct the analyses.
The Army senior leadership relies on timely, accurate analysis on which to base decisions that affect the Army as a whole, in addition to the direction of numerous programs. Without the analysis obtained through these AR 5-5 studies, leadership would be forced to act without a solid basis on which to form their decisions. The Army Study Program provides the appropriate system of checks and balances to guarantee that the Army makes smart decisions based on a solid foundation resulting from studies and analyses.
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