In military personnel management, what term is used for the number against which assignments are made?

The term used in military personnel management for the number against which assignments are made is "Authorized Strength." This refers to the specific number of personnel that a unit is authorized to have based on tables of organization and equipment (TOE) or modified tables of organization and equipment (MTOE). It sets the benchmark for staffing and helps ensure units are adequately manned to fulfill their operational roles. Authorized Strength guides personnel assignments and resource allocation, providing a clear target for recruiting and maintaining personnel levels needed to support mission readiness.

In contrast, other terms like Assigned Strength refer to the actual number of personnel currently assigned to a unit, while Operating Strength pertains to the number of personnel available for duty at a given time. Required Strength usually indicates a target based on operational needs but does not necessarily reflect the formal authorization of personnel numbers in place. Understanding these distinctions helps clarify how military personnel management works in terms of planning and maintaining effective force levels.