Mid-Range Planning and Programming at the U.S. Army Combined Arms Center

It is essential for the U.S. Army Combined Arms Center to plan 2-5 years in the future in order to ensure that fully integrated and funded programs are a reality in the future. The author identifies 45 circumstances which, if they exist within an organization, may preclude effective planning. By surveying the principal mid-range planners at the Combined Arms Center (CAC), reviewing organization goal/objective statements, and reviewing formal documented plans, it was determined which of these 45 circumstances exist. The principal conclusions reached with regard to goals/objectives are: (1) All organizations within CAC have goals/objectives; (2) These goals/objectives are not placed in hierarchy by priority; (3) Mission activities require more guidance from higher management in order to develop goals/objectives. The main conclusions reached vis-a-vis actual planning are: (1) There is very little mid-range planning being done; (2) The planning which is being done is primarily mechanical, and too short-ranged; and (3) Better coordination of plans is needed. It was also found that: (1) Planning is not inhibited by the CAC organization structure; and (2) Turnover of personnel is a problem if action is not taken to 'phase' the replacement cycle.

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Robert D. Shadley is a retired U.S. Army major general. During his leadership career, he guided more than 3,500 military service members in combat and over 20,000 students in training.

He retired from active duty in 2000, following a distinguished thirty-three-year military career serving in key command and staff assignments, including combat tours in Vietnam and Operation Desert Shield/Storm.

Shadley then served in key leadership positions at Alliant Techsystems Inc. and as a senior mentor providing logistics expertise to U.S. Army units prior to deployment to Afghanistan and Iraq.

He currently consults on acquisitions and logistics for businesses in the aerospace and defense sector.

His awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters, and the Bronze Star Medal with oak leaf cluster.

Shadley is active in community and nonprofit organizations in the Wayzata, Minnesota area where he an