The Disability Evaluation System (DES) is a management tool used by theDepartment of Defense to determine the disposition of a service member whohas a medical condition that calls into question the member_s ability toperform his or her duties. The DES exists to evaluate service members withsuch medical conditions, remove those unable to fulfill their duties, anddetermine a disability rating for those who are removed. This book focuseson four major research tasks related to improving system performance:developing a basis for assessing DES outcomes, identifying issues ofvariability in DES policy application, conducting a DES training analysisand presenting recommended changes, and developing a method for continuouslymonitoring DES performance. As part of their findings, the authorsconstructed a set of desired system outcomes and from that framework suggestcomprehensive training and information management interventions to improveoverall system performance. The authors also identify groups of primary DESparticipants and outline the specific bodies of knowledge and skills theparticipants require to execute disability policy consistently throughoutthe military departments. JENNIFER SUSAN SLOAN (Currently in Ph.D. Program in Public Policy, George Washington University) is a project coordinator, RAND, Washington, DC. Harry Thie (Ph.D., Business Administration, George Washington University, 1977) is a senior operations research analyst at RAND. Comprehensive training and information management interventions for more consistent application of disability policy.