Effect of the Goldwater-Nichols Department of Defense Reorganization Act on Surface Warfare Officer Career Paths

摘要

This thesis reviews the joint officer management policies mandated by the Goldwater-Nichols Department of Defense Reorganization Act and analyzes their effect on Surface Warfare Officer (SWO) career paths. The focus of this thesis is the balance between joint education and experience on the one hand, and service specific education and experience on the other hand. The analysis is conducted using the SWOPATH model of SWO career paths developed in an earlier Naval Postgraduate School thesis. The results show grade creep in the Commander command billets of SWO career paths resulting from a shift in emphasis toward joint experience.