The U.S. Military's Implementation of the Joint Duty Promotion Requirement

Abstract

Prior to 1986, the inability of the U.S. military to operate in a unified, multiservice, or “joint” manner affected operational effectiveness. The Goldwater-Nichols Act of 1986 directed changes throughout the U.S. defense establishment to rectify this problem. This article looks at the implementation of the joint duty officer promotion requirement mandated under Title IV, Joint Officer Management, of the Goldwater-Nichols Act. The joint duty assignment requirement mandated that all officers serve in a joint duty assignment prior to promotion to Brigadier General or Rear Admiral (O7). This article examines the implementation of this policy, U.S. military compliance with this policy, and the impact of the joint duty assignment on an officer's promotion to O7. Findings indicate that the military services are not fully complying with this policy and that officer promotion time is adversely affected when an officer meets the joint duty assignment promotion requirement.