The authors developed two tools for analyzing the readiness of proposed future defense programs. The first tool, used for the funding benchmark analysis, compares future readiness funding with past funding in years in which readiness was high, taking changes in force size into account. The second tool, used for the readiness prediction analysis, estimates the effects of proposed readiness funding on future readiness levels. For the funding benchmark analysis, the authors measured readiness spending and force size and related variations in one to variations in the other. One approach to the readiness prediction analysis drew on the benchmarking analysis; another approach directly related SORTS ratings to mission-related readiness spending and force size. They found that mission-related spending varied in rough proportion to force size during the high-readiness period of 1984-97; mission-support and other spending were not quite as sensitive to changes in force size; readiness spending during the "hollow-force period" of 1975-80 was far below the levels after 1984; and force readiness is significantly related to mission-related spending.

"September 1999"--Cover.

Introduction. Background -- Objective -- Plan of analysis -- Summary of results / Measuring readiness spending. Overview of the future years defense program and funding for readiness -- Data adjustments -- Spending categories -- Tooth-to-tail ratios / Measuring force size. Alternative approaches -- Equipment-based measures -- Personnel-based measures -- Summary of trends in force size / Relating readiness spending to force size. Mission spending -- Mission support spending -- Other spending -- Discretionary mission O&M -- Analyzing the adequacy of proposed funding -- Summary / Analyzing readiness spending in the hollow years. All DoD -- Army -- Navy -- Air Force -- Marine Corps -- Simple ratio analysis -- Summary / Relating spending to readiness. Background -- Methodology -- Summary / Findings and recommendations. Findings -- Recommendations.