There is a lack of consensus about what the U.S. military officer corps should look like, a new report from the Congressional Research Service says.

Divergent views exist about what type of military officers the country needs, what skills they should have, how they should be distributed by grade, what criteria should be used for their promotion or separation, and more.

“This report provides an overview of selected concepts and statutory provisions that shape and define officer appointments, assignments, grade structure, promotions, and separations.”  See Military Officer Personnel Management: Key Concepts and Statutory Provisions, May 10, 2016.

Other new and updated reports from the Congressional Research Service include the following.

Goldwater-Nichols at 30: Defense Reform and Issues for Congress, updated May 11, 2016

Information Warfare: DOD’s Response to the Islamic State Hacking Activities, CRS Insight, May 10, 2016

Unaccompanied Alien Children: An Overview, updated May 11, 2016

Transportation Security: Issues for the 114th Congress, updated May 9, 2016

U.S.-Nordic Relations, CRS Insight, May 10, 2016