2000 Defense Economics Conference

"Making the Most of the All Volunteer Force"

Jointly sponsored by the Office of the Secretary of Defense (Program Analysis and Evaluation) and the Institute for Defense Analysis

September 28 - 29, 2000

Held at IDA 2001 North Beauregard Street Alexandria, VA 22311

Proceedings   Background Papers   Photographs   2002 Conference  One of the most important US public policy changes in the last half century was the decision to end conscription and adopt an all-volunteer force (AVF). The intellectual impetus for this change came from economists and others who argued that an AVF would be both more fair and more efficient than conscription. Twenty-seven years have passed since the AVF was instituted. Some say the DoD has still not fully adapted to this policy change. At this conference, the following questions were explored: What did we think would happen? What has happened so far? What does the future hold? Can we do better? Disclaimer Notice