This study attempts to identify and analyze the economic aspects of military unionization. The research effort considers the literature on unionism, the evolution of foreign military unions, the evolution of U.S. federal government employees' unions, and the background of U.S. military unions. The time frame for the study is 1971-1976. The investigation answers three questions: Is military unionization a distinct possibility? Will significant additional budgetary costs accrue to the Department of Defense with the unionized military? Are these costs prohibitive? (Might Congress disallow unions for budgetary reasons?) The analysis reveals that military unionization is a distinct possibility, with possible budgetary cost increases of $11.5 - $15 billion accruing over a three year period. These costs are deemed significant by the author, to the extent that Congress could act to allow or prohibit military unions based upon these costs, via several options as outlined in the report. The conclusion is that, whatever the Congressional response, personnel costs will increase with the unionized military.

ADA 042925 Approved for public release; Distribution is unlimited. The opinions and conclusions expressed herein are those of the student-authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College or any other governmental agency. (References to these studies should include the foregoing statement.)