November 21, 2019
Rethinking How and Who to Recruit: Disrupting Talent Management
This is the written version of a speech delivered at the Royal United Services 2019 Land Warfare Conference in June 2019.
In order to remain competitive in a new strategic environment, the United States and United Kingdom armed forces must recognize and recruit civilian talent. Talent is the main driver of success for western militaries, yet current military models are not oriented around comprehensive metrics, but rather outdated measures of what matters to militaries. To maintain overmatch, militaries must reward preexisting civilian expertise, necessary for recruiting talent and retaining qualified individuals.
This article proposes two revisions to personnel talent management policy that would better allow for civilian entry into the force include. Firstly, implementing broader recruiting outreach and engagement. Secondly, offering greater lateral entry options for civilian specialists.
Routinely commanders espouse that “people are our greatest asset.” Yet the actions of the services do not reflect these words. Personnel management may not be flashy, but people and their capabilities are the foundation for all military endeavors. They are as important to military success as weapons systems and technological modernization.
Read the full article and more in Wavell Room.
Image Credit: Samuel King/Department of Defense
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