John D. Winkler, Ph.d.

Retired Research Center Director and Senior Behavioral Scientist, RAND Corporation

Education

• Ph.D., social psychology, Harvard University.
• B.A. with honors, psychology and anthropology, University of Pennsylvania.

Professional Experience

RAND Corporation, 2009-2021

Director, Forces and Resources Policy Center, RAND National Security Research Division (February 2011-October 2021)

• Led a national security research center that helps improve policy and decision-making governing personnel management and use of defense resources to enhance readiness and sustain the nation’s all volunteer force. Policy domains include force management, readiness, support programs and services, and health services and systems. Responsible for project development and oversight and quality assurance of a research portfolio sponsored by various Department of Defense offices, among which the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense (Personnel and Readiness) serves as principal sponsor.

Senior Behavioral Scientist, RAND (1980-2001; April 2009-December 2021).

• Directed research studies for defense policymakers on topics that include military personnel management, support to soldiers and families, and Reserve Component issues.

U.S. Department of Defense, 2001-2009

Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs (July 2007-April 2009).

• Served as the principal staff advisor to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs for all functional areas and responsibilities assigned to the office, including: manpower and personnel, readiness training and mobilization, resources, civil-military programs, materiel and facilities, and employer support for the Guard and Reserve. Performed strategic planning and established performance goals and objectives for the organization. Participated as a sub pay pool manager for National Security Personnel System employees in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs and the National Commission on Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve.
• Developed Department of Defense policy documents governing utilization of military forces and the management of the Reserve Components as an operational force.

Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs, Manpower and Personnel (August 2001- July 2007).

• Served as the principal staff assistant and advisor to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs for all National Guard and Reserve manpower and personnel matters, including: manpower requirements and utilization; recruitment, attrition, and compensation; individual and family support; medical programs; personnel data systems and integration; and, legislation affecting Guard and Reserve manpower and personnel.
• Led DOD’s strategic assessment, “Reserve Component Contributions to National Defense, “mandated by the 2001 Quadrennial Defense Review, that proposed new ideas for rebalancing the active/reserve force mix, meeting requirements for emerging and traditional defense missions, and transforming force management. Developed the “continuum of service “personnel management paradigm, with enabling policies and legislation, which expands participation opportunities, promotes volunteerism, and creates additional means to access military capabilities. Directed analyses of force structure and utilization that set the foundation for the rebalancing of military forces. Conducted extensive, high-level briefings on these efforts.

RAND Corporation, 1980-2001

• Associate Director, Manpower and Training Program, Army Research Division. Developed and supervised studies and analyses for senior Army leadership addressing a full range of issues in manpower and reserve affairs.
• Associate Department Head, Developed new studies of defense and civilian manpower, education, and training. Recruited and conducted performance appraisals of professional research staff. Managed quality assurance process for RAND research documents.
• Project Leader, Directed research projects analyzing defense manpower and training. Topics include: enlisted personnel quality and performance; personnel qualification in the Reserve Components: NCO leader development; efficiency and effectiveness of training institutions; distance learning.

Selected Publications

“Developing Strategic Plans for Defense Human Resource Management: Case Study of Planning in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, “Charles A. Goldman, John D. Winkler, Nathan Thompson, RAND, 2022, RRA1115-1.

“Approaches for Strengthening Total Force Culture and Facilitating Cross-Component Integration in the U.S. Military, “Agnes Gereben Schaefer, John D. Winkler, Kimberly Jackson, Daniel Ibarra, Darrell Jones, Geoffrey McGovern, RAND, 2020, RR-2143-OSD.

“Reflections on the Future of Warfare and Implications for Personnel Policies of the U.S. Department of Defense, “John D. Winkler, Timothy Marler, Marek N. Posard, Raphael Cohen, Meagan L. Smith, RAND, 2019, PE-324-OSD.

“DoD STARBASE: Improved Measures for Participation, Outreach, and Impact, Jennie W.

Wenger, Esther M. Friedman, Erin N. Leidy, Michael Vasseur, Kristin J. Leuschner, John D. Winkler, RAND, 2018, RR-2160-OSD.

“Options for Educating Students Attending Department of Defense Schools in the United States, “Charles A. Goldman, Rita Karam, Beth Katz, Tiffany Tsai, Leslie Mullins, John D. Winkler, RAND, 2016, RR-855-DODEA.

“Ensuring Language Capability in the Intelligence Community: What is the Best Mix of Military, Civilians, and Contractors? “Beth J. Asch, John D. Winkler, RAND, 2013, TR-1284.

“Strategically Aligned Family Research: Supporting Soldier and Family Quality of Life Research for Policy Decision making, “Carra S. Sims, Anny Wong, Sarah H. Bana, John D. Winkler, RAND, 2013, TR-1256.

“Supporting Employers in the Reserve Operational Forces Era: Are Changes Needed to Reservists’ Employment Rights Legislation, Policies or Programs? “Susan M. Gates, Geoffrey McGovern, Ivan Waggoner, John D. Winkler, Ashley Pierson, Lauren Andrews, Peter Buryk, RAND, 2013, RR-152.

Reshaping the Army’s Active and Reserve Components, Michael L. Hansen, Celeste Ward Gventer, John D. Winkler, Kristy N. Kamarck, RAND, 2011, MG-961.

Developing an Operational Reserve: A Policy and Historical Context and the Way Forward, John D. Winkler, Joint Forces Quarterly, Issue 59 (4), 2010, pp. 14-20.

Sexual Orientation and U.S. Military Personnel Policy: An Update of RAND’s 2993 Study (Study Co-Director), NDRI, RAND, 2010, MG-1056-OSD

The New Guard and Reserve, John D. Winkler and B.A. Bicksler (eds.), Falcon Books, 2008.

Stability and Cohesion: How Much is Needed?, in John D. Winkler and B.A. Bicksler (eds.), The New Guard and Reserve, Falcon Books, 2004, pp. 29-44.

Transformation of the Reserve Components of the U.S. Armed Forces, in C.L. Gilroy and C. Williams (eds.), Service to Country: Personnel Policy and the Transformation of Western Militaries, MIT Press, 2006, pp 413-435.

A “Continuum of Service “ for the All-Volunteer Force, in C.L. Gilroy, B. Bicksler, and J.T. Warner (eds.), The All-Volunteer Force: Thirty Years of Service, Potomac Books, 2004, pp.297-307.

Rebalancing Forces: Easing the Stress on the Guard and Reserve, Office of the Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs, 2004.

Review of Reserve Component Contributions to National Defense, Office of the Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs, 2002.

Honors and Awards:

• Secretary of Defense Medal for Outstanding Public Service
• RAND President’s Choice Award