R&R designs, conducts, and analyzes joint-Service surveys focusing on military and family readiness and retention. This entails evaluating existing programs and policies, establishing baseline measures, implementing new programs, and monitoring the progress and effects of new programs on the Total Force and their families.
About OPA
The Office of People Analytics (OPA) was established in 2016 to develop cutting-edge analytical methods and solutions for more effective personnel management in the Department of Defense (DoD).
Our Approach
In order to glean deeper insights and assess the efficacy of current and future DoD policies, we draw upon our interdisciplinary expertise to analyze broader patterns via three key capabilities:
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Assess the Service Member Life Cycle
Examine the attitudes, opinions, and behaviors of prospective and current Service members across their entire military career.
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Utilize Cutting-Edge Analytical Methods
Use data science methodology on existing and new research to produce innovative and actionable insights for decision makers.
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Provide Data-Driven Recommendations, Solutions, and Tools
Use our cross-division expertise and data to guide recommendations and improve personnel programs and policies.
Our Divisions
OPA programs provide innovative, cost-effective data solutions and foster collaboration efforts to benefit the DoD community. Its divisions comprise experts in various fields such as statistics, psychology, applied social science, information technology, and marketing outreach.
Center for Retention and Readiness Research (R&R)
Defense Testing Assessment Center (DTAC)
DTAC provides fair and accurate measurement of examinees’ abilities and interests, efficient delivery of tests, and high-quality career exploration and planning tools.
Defense Personnel and Security Research Center (PERSEREC)
PERSEREC uses applied social science and advances in technology and information science to improve the effectiveness, efficiency, and fairness of DoD’s personnel security, suitability, and reliability systems. For more information about PERSEREC, click here. To contact PERSEREC, send an email to perserec@mail.mil.
Health & Resilience Research Division (H&R)
H&R conducts research and analysis in order to promote the health, well-being, and resilience of military Service members and DoD civilians. We support Service members and DoD personnel by conducting cutting-edge research on high-profile topics within the DoD, such as gender relations, sexual assault, equal opportunity, suicide prevention, and command climate.
Joint Advertising, Market Research & Studies (JAMRS)
JAMRS eliminates redundancies and fosters efficiencies across DoD’s recruiting efforts to ensure that shared efforts are performed once for the entire department rather than individually by each Service’s marketing program.
Methods, Analysis, & Systems Support (MASS)
MASS is committed to providing timely, accurate, and valuable statistical, data science, and analytical expertise while using the most effective cybersecurity-compliant IT solutions and systems.
Our Leadership
Office of People AnalyticsMark S. Breckenridge
Director, DPAC
Mark Breckenridge serves as the Director of DoD’s Defense Personnel Analytics Center (DPAC). DPAC is DoD’s premier center for advanced analysis, providing actionable support for the Total Force, families, and veterans through the collection and analysis of data and applied research. DPAC provides effective, evidence-based solutions for Total Force management in support of the warfighter and leads DoD in providing innovative, cost-effective research and analysis.
Mr. Breckenridge has more than 35 years of leadership experience in program and fiscal management, project execution, data analysis and management, research development, and building successful teams. He has served DoD in multiple capacities in the military, industry, and civilian service.
As the deputy director for the Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC), he was responsible for operational systems and policy support for the Personnel and Readiness missions of DoD. This included maintaining the Common Access Card and identity-management system, tracking DoD entitlements and benefits for uniformed service members and their families, and supporting the information, analysis, and research requirements of the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD), the military departments, and Congress for developing and evaluating workforce and personnel policy. To support these missions, he oversaw the largest personnel database in DoD, covering 50 million individuals currently or previously associated with DoD.
Prior to his appointment to the Senior Executive Service in 2007, he served as the deputy director of the Identity Authentication Office (IAO) at DMDC. He was responsible for program management of secure enterprise identity management and access solutions, including the Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS). DBIDS is the largest operational physical access and authentication system in DoD and is used to protect military bases around the world.
In industry, Mr. Breckenridge served as the West Coast operations director for SRA International, providing technical and analytical support to the Military and OSD. Prior to his civilian service, Mr. Breckenridge served in the United States Navy as a naval flight officer, deploying to the Indian Ocean and Western Pacific. He is a graduate of the Federal Executive Institute, holds a master’s degree in software engineering, and is a 1980 graduate of the United States Naval Academy.