Defense Reorganization:

Roles of Joint Military Organizations in Resource Allocations

NSIAD-90-76, Jun 21, 1990

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Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO examined the implementation of resource allocation provisions of the Department of Defense (DOD) Reorganization Act.

GAO found that: (1) DOD has increased the combatant commander's influence in the resource allocation process; (2) the joint strategic planning system enables the Chairman to advise the Secretary of Defense on military deficiencies identified by combatant commanders; (3) DOD has not updated its directive and instruction on the planning, programming, and budgeting system; (4) DOD did not submit a separate budget for the combatant commanders' activities because it believed the commanders had adequate influence in the resource allocation process; (5) DOD also believed that it was not specifically required to submit a separate budget; (6) combatant commanders opposed the idea of a separate budget proposal for their activities; and (7) DOD has set aside $50 million for combatant commanders.

Status Legend:

More Info
  • Review Pending-GAO has not yet assessed implementation status.
  • Open-Actions to satisfy the intent of the recommendation have not been taken or are being planned, or actions that partially satisfy the intent of the recommendation have been taken.
  • Closed-implemented-Actions that satisfy the intent of the recommendation have been taken.
  • Closed-not implemented-While the intent of the recommendation has not been satisfied, time or circumstances have rendered the recommendation invalid.
    • Review Pending
    • Open
    • Closed - implemented
    • Closed - not implemented

    Recommendations for Executive Action

    Recommendation: The Secretary of Defense should update the DOD directive and instruction on the planning, programming, and budgeting system to reflect existing practices.

    Agency Affected: Department of Defense

    Status: Closed - Not Implemented

    Comments: DOD is in the process of updating the DOD directive. Responsibility for the revision was transferred to the Comptroller, DOD. The Comptroller's first coordination was completed in August 1991. The document is on hold awaiting action by new DOD leadership to be put in place. New DOD leadership is changing DOD structure and its processes which impact directly the "existing conditions" addressed in this report. DOD policy guidance will have to be revised to reflect DOD's new direction, not the conditions of the past evaluation.

    Recommendation: The Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, should then update his guidance to correspond to the Secretary of Defense's guidance and current practices.

    Agency Affected: Department of Defense: Joint Chiefs of Staff

    Status: Closed - Not Implemented

    Comments: JCS guidance was updated to correspond to current practices and will be further updated once DOD policy guidance is updated. While this statement is valid, it is no longer applicable in the sense of the report--see comment to Part I.