ABSTRACT
A combination of glasnost’ and a reordering of priorities means that issues such as doctrine, strategy and arms control will take a back seat to personnel matters within the Soviet High Command for the immediate future. From the High Command’s standpoint, one of the primary-if unanticipated-effects of glasnost’ is that it has focused public attention on the personnel problems that have plagued the military for some time. Despite the High Command’s recognition of the importance of perestroika both for personnel and operational policies, bureaucratic resistance made the implementation of such a policy very difficult. Indeed, Soviet writers argue that the continued use of the Soviet military in such a function risks destroying the armed forces. Poor leadership, and particularly the inability to take the initiative, is another problem that has plagued Soviet military officers for many years. Glasnost’ and economic stringencies are forcing the General Staff to address the serious personnel problems.
