Using a case study based on the Army's new Stryker Brigade Combat Team, the authors explore how the Army might improve its ability to contribute to prompt, global power projection, that is, strategically responsive early-entry forces for time-critical events. The authors examine options to reach a dual goal: to initiate deployment of the right force capabilities, and then get those capabilities where they need to be as quickly as possible.

This conference proceeding summarizes a November, 1999 roundtable discussion on the role of information technology (IT) in housing design and construction. The roundtable was the first in a series of discussions sponsored by the White House Office of Science & Technology Policy (OSTP) to explore how IT can transform and improve American homes and the home building industry. A second workshop will be held in the Spring of 2000 to discuss the role of IT in the home and what the proper role of the federal government should be in bringing the benefits of IT into America's homes. This conference proceeding is intended to share the roundtable discussion and provide information that can be used by interested parties to advance the use of IT within the housing industry. This document solely reflects the author's efforts to summarize the discussion that occurred and to provide a limited amount of additional information on related activities. This document does not constitute analysis of that discussion, nor does it represent validation of the discussion or the recommendations by RAND. Similarly, the information contained in the Appendix does not constitute an endorsement by RAND.

Get ready for a magical bedtime adventure with Little Llama No Drama and the beauty of the Rainbow! Join Little Llama as he takes you on a journey of wonder and delight, riding on a rainbow so bright. Let the hues of the rainbow fill your dreams and soothe your worries as you drift off to sleep. With beautiful illustrations and a heartwarming lullaby, this story is sure to become a favorite bedtime classic for kids and parents alike. Don't miss out on this enchanting tale that will leave your heart full of joy and wonder.

Because of aging fleets, high operational tempos (OPTEMPO), and harsh operating conditions in Southwest Asia (SWA), equipment renewal is currently an Army imperative. Recent Army expenditures for reset (return to combat-ready condition), overhaul, and recapitalization have been on the order of $10 billion per year. Although anecdotal reports suggest that the reset program has been valuable, there is still a need for quantitative analyses to measure its effects and inform decisions about when and how often a vehicle should be renewed. This study assesses the effects of vehicle age, OPTEMPO, SWA deployment, and reset on mission-critical failures and maintenance costs. Findings suggest that renewal reduces a vehicle's mission-critical failures and maintenance costs by up to 50 percent per year, with the result that reset of heavy combat vehicles becomes cost-effective after four years. Additionally, OPTEMPO and location (not necessarily deployment) may be more important criteria than age when selecting vehicles for reset. The results of this study have implications for reset planning and funding decisions.