Themes in defence manpower economics and challenges for the future

Raising and maintaining military forces have posed enormous challenges for the United States and its allies. Economists have made significant contribu tions to understanding of how to recruit and manage such forces. This paper highlights key past contributions and discusses challenges for future rese arch. Rapid changes in the roles and missions of military personnel, techno logy, and the civilian labor market pose serious challenges for future mili tary manpower policy and will challenge economists to develop new approache s to military recruiting and personnel management. Yet the body of past res earch can continue to provide insight and guidance in making decisions abou t defense manpower.