Operation Gyroscope

Operation Gyroscope was a United States Army program implemented between 1955 and 1959. Taking place during the Cold War, this initiative modified the system of troop rotation, so that entire divisions were rotated out of overseas service together, rather than individual soldiers. The program also applied to smaller non-divisional units, and was primarily used to exchange units between the United States and Germany under United States Army Europe. The system aimed to increase retention rates by boosting morale and unit cohesion, with the added incentive of improving military family stability by keeping soldiers together for most of their careers. The program initially increased morale. However, the Army was not able to keep its promises to the soldiers, and the expected benefits failed to materialize. Thus the program was closed early, after just one of the planned-three year rotation cycles had been completed.