M. Wade Markel

Director, Forces and Logistics Program, RAND Arroyo Center; Senior Political Scientist

Washington Office

Education

Ph.D. in history, Harvard University; M.A. in history, Harvard University; B.S. in history, US Mil Academy at West Point

One Page Bio

Overview

M. Wade Markel is the director of the Forces and Logistics program in RAND Arroyo Center, and a senior political scientist at the RAND Corporation. His research focuses on aligning human, materiel and fiscal resources with alternative institutional strategies. Specific topics of recent interest include estimating the appropriate size for the Army's generating force, aligning modernization and equipping resources with the Army's modernization strategy, and evaluating the impact of alternative resource plans on Army strategic capability. Markel has also investigated recruitment and marketing to attract quality Department of the Army Civilians, career development for the security cooperation workforce, and professional development for U.S. Army officers in different strategic contexts. He joined RAND after retiring from the U.S. Army after 20 years as an infantry officer and strategist. Markel received his Ph.D. in history from Harvard University.

Research Focus

Recent Projects

Enhancing Army Capabilities for Assessing Cost and Performance at the Strategic Level
Assessing the Value of Readiness
Generating Force Requirements and Resourcing
Enhancing Army Category Management Capabilities
Army Fiscal Data Structure

Selected Publications

M. Wade Markel, "The Limits of American Generalship: The JCS’ Strategic Advice in Early Cold War Crises, 1950-1964," Parameters, 2008

M. Wade Markel, "Draining the Swamp: The British Strategy of Population Control," Parameters, 2006

M. Wade Markel, "Winning Our Own Hearts and Minds: Promotion in Wartime," Military Review, 2004

Johnson, David E., M. Wade Markel, and Brian Shannon, The 2008 Battle of Sadr City: Reimagining Urban Combat, RAND Corporation (RR-160-A), 2013

Markel, M. Wade, Henry A. Leonard, Charlotte Lynch, Christina Panis, Peter Schirmer, and Carra S. Sims, Developing U.S. Army Officers' Capabilities for Joint, Interagency, Intergovernmental, and Multinational Environments, RAND Corporation (MG-990-A), 2011

Nataraj, Shanthi, M. Wade Markel, Jaime L. Hastings, Eric V. Larson, Jill E. Luoto, Christopher E. Maerzluft, Craig A. Myatt, Bruce R. Orvis, Christina Panis, Michael H. Powell, Jose Rodriguez, and Tiffany Berglund, Evaluating the Army's Ability to Regenerate: History and Future Options, RAND Corporation (RR-1637), 2017

Bond, Craig A., M. Wade Markel, Olesya Tkacheva, Richard E. Darilek, Robert G. Fix, Bryan W. Hallmark, Henry A. Leonard, Duncan Long, and Todd Nichols, A Stated Preference Analysis of the Determinants of Unit and Soldier Operational Effectiveness, RAND Corporation (RR-1745-A), 2019

Honors & Awards

Silver Medal, RAND

Publications

Report
Optimizing Portfolio-Level Modernization Investment: An Overview of the Aim Point Investment Model (APIM)
This report introduces the Aim Point Investment Model, which helps decisionmakers allocate portfolio-level resources based on existing Army data sources, subject to constraints on the U.S. Army's ability to employ those resources productively.
Mar 27, 2023
Report
Improving the Department of the Army's Marketing for Recruitment, Hiring, and Retention of Civilians in Critical Occupations
This report presents the results of analyses intended to help the Army assess and strengthen its ability to attract high-quality applicants to its civilian workforce and to retain high-quality Army civilian employees.
Aug 11, 2022
Report
The Evolution of U.S. Military Policy from the Constitution to the Present, Volume IV: The Total Force Policy Era, 1970–2015
The authors show that there is no such thing as a "traditional" U.S. military policy. Rather, the laws that authorize, empower, and govern the U.S. armed forces emerged from long-standing debates and legislative compromises between 1903 and 1940.
Jun 23, 2020
Report
A Stated Preference Analysis of the Determinants of Unit and Soldier Operational Effectiveness
The authors assess the relative importance of component status relative to a number of potential determinants of operational effectiveness, including but not limited to unit type, training level, experience in country, and associated costs and risk.
May 13, 2019
Report
Career Development for the Department of Defense Security Cooperation Workforce
This study informs the development of career models for the Department of Defense security cooperation workforce. It assesses potential requirements for competencies and experience and identifies potential job families within the workforce.
Feb 8, 2018
Research Brief
Assessing the Army's Ability to Regenerate Its Active Component End Strength
This analysis modeled the Army's ability to increase ("regenerate") its active component end strength over five years -- starting from end strengths of 450,000 and 420,000 -- to provide the number of deployable troops available in 2010.
May 3, 2017
Report
Evaluating the Army's Ability to Regenerate: History and Future Options
This analysis modeled the Army's ability to increase ("regenerate") its active component end strength over five years -- starting from end strengths of 450,000 and 420,000 -- to provide the number of deployable troops available in 2010.
May 3, 2017
Report
A Preliminary Assessment of the Regionally Aligned Forces (RAF) Concept's Implications for Army Personnel Management
RAND Arroyo Center explored how the U.S. Army might need to adapt its personnel management policies and practices to support the Regionally Aligned Forces concept.
Nov 11, 2015
Report
How Much Will Be Enough? Assessing Changing Defense Strategies' Implications for Army Resource Requirements
Presents a method of estimating Army resource needs and allocation as a function of alternative national defense strategies, using three strategies as an illustration.
May 28, 2014
Report
The 2008 Battle of Sadr City: Reimagining Urban Combat
Analyzes the 2008 Battle of Sadr City, and presents insights and lessons learned. This analysis advances understanding of urban operations and thereby helps the Army focus on what capabilities it will need in the future for such conflicts.
Jan 15, 2014
Research Brief
Urban Warfare: The 2008 Battle for Sadr City
The authors identify factors critical to the coalition victory over Jaish al-Mahdi in the 2008 Battle of Sadr City and describe a new model for dealing with insurgent control of urban areas.
Apr 9, 2012
Research Brief
Developing U.S. Army Officers' Capabilities for Joint, Interagency, Intergovernmental, and Multinational Environments
Identifies and describes the knowledge, skills, and abilities that enable Army officers to succeed in joint, interagency, intergovernmental, and multinational contexts.
Dec 6, 2011
Report
The 2008 Battle of Sadr City
The authors identify factors critical to the coalition victory over Jaish al-Mahdi in the 2008 Battle of Sadr City and describe a new model for dealing with insurgent control of urban areas.
Aug 17, 2011
Report
Developing U.S. Army Officers' Capabilities for Joint, Interagency, Intergovernmental, and Multinational Environments
Identifies and describes the knowledge, skills, and abilities that enable Army officers to succeed in joint, interagency, intergovernmental, and multinational contexts.
Feb 10, 2011
Report
Options for Filling Vacant Officer Positions
There may be opportunities to better leverage enlisted personnel, warrant officers, and limited-duty officers in some billets designated for officers.
Dec 20, 2010
Report
Preparing and Training for the Full Spectrum of Military Challenges: Insights from the Experiences of China, France, the United Kingdom, India, and Israel
The authors examine the militaries of China, France, the UK, India, and Israel to identify different approaches to readiness, adaptability, and operational issues in the context of full-spectrum operations and deployments.
Dec 14, 2009