The Army needs to adapt a “holistic approach” to talent management as it tries to retain soldiers and attract new ones in a tough recruiting environment, according to a new paper published by the Association of the U.S. Army’s Institute of Land Warfare.

The report, titled “Let’s Talk Business: Army Talent Management,” says the Army is experiencing “adverse trends” in identifying, developing and retaining talent.

According to the report, these trends include historically low ratings among leaders in their ability to develop others and a 50% departure rate among officers after seven years in service.

Senior leaders aim to change these trends by leveraging business principles in marketing, data analysis and incentive alignment, it says.

Efforts are already underway as the Army launches the Integrated Personnel and Pay System-Army, a data-driven approach to personnel management, and the Talent Management Task Force for overhauling the Army’s current system.

The push for change comes after the Army missed its recruiting goal by 6,500 soldiers last year.

Read the full report at www.ausa.org/publications/lets-talk-business-army-talent-management.