Rand Arroyo Center

The Rand Arroyo Center is a key line item within the Department of the Army's Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) budget, specifically under Program Element 0605103A. As the Army's Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) for strategic studies and analysis, the Rand Arroyo Center's primary objective is to provide rigorous, independent research and analysis to inform Army leadership on a wide range of strategic and operational issues. The Center operates under the guidance of Army Regulation 5-21 and is overseen by the Arroyo Center Policy Committee (ACPC), which is co-chaired by the Under Secretary of the Army and the Vice Chief of Staff of the Army.

The main goals of the Rand Arroyo Center are organized into three core research areas: Personnel, Training, and Health; Forces and Logistics; and Strategy, Doctrine and Resources. Each of these areas addresses specific, long-term challenges facing the Army. For Personnel, Training, and Health, the Center focuses on optimizing the readiness and resilience of soldiers and their families, improving training methodologies, and addressing health-related concerns that impact force effectiveness.

Within Forces and Logistics, the Rand Arroyo Center aims to enhance the Army's operational capabilities by analyzing logistics systems, force structure, and deployment strategies. This includes supporting modernization initiatives, evaluating dynamic force employment, and identifying ways to improve supply chain efficiency and operational sustainment. The Center's work in this area is critical to ensuring that the Army can rapidly adapt to changing operational environments and maintain a high level of readiness.

The Strategy, Doctrine and Resources research area is dedicated to examining the Army's strategic posture, doctrinal evolution, and resource allocation. The objective is to support the implementation of the National Defense Strategy, guide Army modernization efforts, and inform decisions on resource prioritization. The Center provides analytical support for reforming business processes, developing multi-domain operational concepts, and ensuring that investments are aligned with future threats and opportunities.

A significant objective of the Rand Arroyo Center is to provide timely, actionable analysis that directly supports senior Army leadership in their decision-making processes. The Center's research agenda is set annually by the ACPC, ensuring alignment with the Army's evolving priorities. Current focus areas include total force readiness, modernization, dynamic force employment, business process reform, and soldier-centric investments.

The justification for continued funding of the Rand Arroyo Center lies in its unique ability to deliver independent, multidisciplinary research that addresses both immediate and long-term challenges. The Center's analytical findings are used to inform major policy decisions and strategic initiatives, making it an essential resource for Army leaders. Recent budget adjustments reflect a consolidation of resources and a shift in the business model to better support the Army's strategic research needs.