VI. An Affordable People Component

O'Neill challenges the assumption that technological advancements in warfare will reduce the need for military personnel. Drawing on insights from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, he emphasizes that human resources remain essential for logistics, casualty replacement, and maintaining operationa...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inWhitehall papers Vol. 102; no. 1; pp. 82 - 98
Main Author O'Neill, Paul
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Abingdon Routledge 31.12.2024
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Subjects
Armed forces
Electronic warfare
Military operations
Military personnel
Technological change
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Summary:O'Neill challenges the assumption that technological advancements in warfare will reduce the need for military personnel. Drawing on insights from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, he emphasizes that human resources remain essential for logistics, casualty replacement, and maintaining operational readiness. While technology enhances combat effectiveness, it cannot replace the complexities of workforce requirements in modern military operations. He advocates for a balanced force structure that includes regulars, reserves, and civilian contractors to ensure flexibility, cost-efficiency, and readiness. He delves into the financial dynamics of workforce management--considering volume, individual, and flow costs--and highlights the need for strategic planning. A layered approach to personnel allows militaries to adapt to shifting threats while managing budgetary constraints.
Bibliography:SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
ObjectType-Commentary-1
content type line 14
ISSN:0268-1307
1754-5382
DOI:10.1080/02681307.2024.2506251