The Army's operational requirements have expanded since the start of the 21st century. Its forces must be prepared to react to a wide range of potential missions, ranging from peacekeeping to high-intensity conflict, and these complex preparation activities must be accomplished even while a significant proportion of its structure is deployed and operationally engaged. Complicating force preparation is the consideration that Army budgets are facing large reductions and efficiency is of increasing importance. This new environment generates a need for major changes to the Army's programs for training units and developing leaders. RAND Arroyo Center undertook research designed to support Army efforts in these areas by examining the Army's processes for managing its training and leader development programs. This examination concluded that current processes are not set up for making major, integrated changes across the range of training and leader development programs and that these processes need major change. Especially important is the lack of a true businesslike approach for making resource allocation decisions that achieve the best possible overall readiness benefit. Based on this examination, specific directions for improving training and leader development management processes are developed and presented. This report should be of interest to those involved in designing Army training and leader development strategies and those involved in the process of providing resources for their implementation.

"Prepared for the United States Army"--T.p.

Introduction -- Advanced Leader Course's role and challenges -- ALC management findings and conclusions -- ATLD program support for distributed learning and unit training programs -- Directions for improving training and leader development management processes -- Conclusions and implications -- Appendix: strategies for improving IT support for ATLD management.