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DOD Revolving Door: Many Former Personnel Not Reporting Defense-Related Employment

NSIAD-86-71 Published: Mar 04, 1986. Publicly Released: Mar 06, 1986.
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Highlights

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO evaluated the employment disclosure process for Department of Defense (DOD) and contractor employees, focusing on: (1) whether former DOD employees are reporting post-government employment as required; and (2) measures that could be taken to improve the process. Federal law requires former military officers, senior civilian employees, and contractor employees to report their post-government employment to ensure that: (1) DOD personnel who anticipate contractor employment do not use their positions to gain favor with contractors; and (2) former DOD personnel do not use their contacts with former colleagues to the detriment of the government.

Recommendations

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Department of Defense The Secretary of Defense should require the services to annually inform all covered former personnel of the requirement to report defense-related employment for 2 years after their separation.
Closed – Implemented
DOD issued 26,000 notification letters for the 1987 reporting period. DOD will be assessing the impact of the notifications as reports are submitted.
Department of Defense The Secretary of Defense should require that defense-related employment reports contain information on the type and extent of contact current defense contractor employees had with the contractors when they were with DOD, and vice versa.
Closed – Implemented
DOD Directive 5500.7 was issued on May 6, 1987. The directive incorporated the recommended actions.
Department of Defense The Secretary of Defense should require that the services establish a formal review process with written guidance for reviewers to use in detecting possible conflicts of interest.
Closed – Implemented
DOD Directive 5500.7 was issued on May 6, 1987, incorporating the recommended changes.

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Topics

Conflict of interestsDepartment of Defense contractorsFederal formsPostemployment restrictionReporting requirementsFederal employmentMilitary forcesFederal contractorsGovernment employeesPrivate sector