Measures of Military Capability:
A Discussion of Their Merits, Limitations, and Interrelationships
NSIAD-85-75: Published: Jun 13, 1985. Publicly Released: Jun 13, 1985.
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Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO evaluated current measures used by the Department of Defense (DOD) to report military capabilities, focusing on: (1) formal and informal measures of force structure, modernization, readiness, and sustainability; and (2) merits and limitations of those measures.
GAO found that, while DOD believes that military capabilities have improved significantly after 5 years of defense budget growth, changes in military capabilities are difficult to quantify. While many indicators are available to assess specific elements of military capability, no single indicator exists to describe overall capability. DOD infers military capability from various measures relating to combat readiness, sustainability, modernization, and force structure. GAO also found that: (1) appropriations that directly affect one component of military capability frequently have an impact on other components; (2) the Unit Status and Identity Report, which is the primary system for reporting unit level readiness, is an internal management tool that compares the number and types of personnel and materiel on hand against wartime requirements; and (3) the Force Readiness Report, which is submitted to Congress in support of executive branch budget requests, is the most comprehensive indicator of current force readiness. In addition, GAO suggested that DOD: (1) document the linkage between resources requested and benefits expected from those resources; (2) improve the Force Readiness Report to provide a clearer indication of current readiness and continuing trends; (3) incorporate into the Force Readiness Report a perspective on theater readiness; (4) benchmark reported readiness status against wartime requirements or applicable peacetime goals; and (5) project benefits resulting from increased training, including benefits related to support capabilities.
Jan 21, 2021
![defense icon, source: [West Covina, California] Progressive Management, 2008](https://www.gao.gov/images/rip/defense.jpg "defense icon, source: [West Covina, California] Progressive Management, 2008")
Close Air Support:
Actions Needed to Enhance Friendly Force Tracking Capabilities and Fully Evaluate TrainingGAO-21-99: Published: Jan 21, 2021. Publicly Released: Jan 21, 2021.
Jan 19, 2021
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GPS Modernization:
DOD Continuing to Develop New Jam-Resistant Capability, But Widespread Use Remains Years AwayGAO-21-145: Published: Jan 19, 2021. Publicly Released: Jan 19, 2021.
Jan 14, 2021
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Columbia Class Submarine:
Delivery Hinges on Timely and Quality Materials from an Atrophied Supplier BaseGAO-21-257: Published: Jan 14, 2021. Publicly Released: Jan 14, 2021. -
Department of Defense:
Actions Needed to Improve Accounting of Intradepartmental TransactionsGAO-21-84: Published: Jan 14, 2021. Publicly Released: Jan 14, 2021.
Jan 12, 2021
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DOD Critical Technologies:
Plans for Communicating, Assessing, and Overseeing Protection Efforts Should Be CompletedGAO-21-158: Published: Jan 12, 2021. Publicly Released: Jan 12, 2021.
Dec 10, 2020
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Climate Resilience:
DOD Coordinates with Communities, but Needs to Assess the Performance of Related Grant ProgramsGAO-21-46: Published: Dec 10, 2020. Publicly Released: Dec 10, 2020. -
Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations:
DOD Needs to Address Governance and Oversight Issues to Help Ensure SuperiorityGAO-21-64: Published: Dec 10, 2020. Publicly Released: Dec 10, 2020.
Dec 2, 2020
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Navy and Marine Corps:
Services Continue Efforts to Rebuild Readiness, but Recovery Will Take Years and Sustained Management AttentionGAO-21-225T: Published: Dec 2, 2020. Publicly Released: Dec 2, 2020.
Nov 20, 2020
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GAO Audits Involving DOD:
Status of Efforts to Schedule and Hold Timely Entrance ConferencesGAO-21-185R: Published: Nov 20, 2020. Publicly Released: Nov 20, 2020.
Nov 19, 2020
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Defense Acquisitions:
Joint Cyber Warfighting Architecture Would Benefit from Defined Goals and GovernanceGAO-21-68: Published: Nov 19, 2020. Publicly Released: Nov 19, 2020.
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