General and Flag Officer Careers

Congress has recently expressed concern that the current tenure system for developing general and flag officers does not effectively prepare them forhandling increasing levels of responsibility and for performing with maximum efficiency at each level of assignment. This report assesses the continuedappropriateness of mandatory retirement of general and flag officers after35 years. It focuses on the value of extending tenure, specificallyexamining promotions, number of assignment, and career length. The study discusses two types of consequences resulting from such an extension. Systemic results of longer service lead to fewer promotions and fewer rising to the highest grades, but increased stability and experience. Career-pathconsequences indicate more depth or breadth of experience could result forofficers. The appropriateness of continued mandatory retirement after 35years depends, finally, on objectives. If the objective is rapidcareer-path movement to positions of responsibility, the 35-year limit accomplishes this. If the goal is more experienced officers and greaterstability, removing the limit seems best. Decisionmakers will need todecide which objective is most important.