Military Operations: DOD Needs to Provide Central Direction for Supporting Coalition Liaison Officers
Highlights
In the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2003, Congress authorized the Secretary of Defense to provide administrative services and support to foreign coalition liaison officers temporarily assigned to the headquarters of a combatant command or any of its subordinate commands. Congress required GAO to assess the implementation of this legislation. Specifically, GAO's objectives were to determine (1) what guidance the Department of Defense (DOD) has provided on the implementation of this legislation, (2) the extent to which the commands are aware of and are using this legislation, and (3) the level of support being provided by commands using this legislation and the benefits derived from it.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
---|---|---|
Department of Defense | The Secretary of Defense should designate an office within DOD to take responsibility for this legislation allowing commands to pay for support for coalition liaison officers. |
Closed – Implemented
DOD concurred with the recommendation and designated the Comptroller's office as the responsible office.
|
Department of Defense | The Secretary of Defense should direct this designated office to promulgate and issue guidance to the combatant commands and their component and subordinate commands on how to implement this legislation. |
Closed – Not Implemented
DOD concurred with the recommendation and designated the Office of the Comptroller as the responsible office. The Office is in the process of preparing Financial Management Regulations guidance but has not finalized the guidance.
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