Return on Investment in Graduates of the DOD Service Academies: Assessment and Improvements

The five-year active duty service obligation (ADSO) for officers commissioned through DOD service academies helps manage the return on investment (ROI) in academy graduates. This research includes designs for two pilot programs intended to improve the ROI. The first program includes an ADSO bidding mechanism where applicants can select a longer ADSO to improve their competitiveness for admission. The second program offers special experiences to cadets and midshipmen in exchange for an ADSO extension. These options could better serve the preferences of future officers, DOD and the taxpayer.