Timing of Combined Arms and Services Staff School Attendance in the OfficerCareer Path

摘要

This thesis examines the timing of U.S. Army active duty officers at the CombinedArms and Services Staff School (CAS3). It reviews the purpose of CAS3 and the current timing of attendance, and compares them with statistical evidence on when officers are first assigned to staff positions, and on when the skills taught by CAS3 are first required. This thesis finds that for officers on active duty, the primary purpose of CAS3 is to train Captains for staff positions at Battalion, Brigade, and Division. It also finds that most Captains serve on staffs before they attend CAS3. As a result, the majority of first essential need for CAS3 taught skills is being experienced before attendance at the course. Therefore, CAS3 currently does more to develop and refine skills than to teach new ones. Finally, the thesis finds that the current method of scheduling CAS3 is a burden on units in the field and on CAS3 students. This thesis makes the recommendation to send officers from their Branch School's Officer Advanced Courses to CAS3 on a Temporary-Duty-and-Return basis. It also points to several areas of future research required to make such a change to the timing of CAS3 attendance. Officer education, Combined arms and services staff school.