Defense Force Management:
Challenges Facing DOD as It Continues to Downsize Its Civilian Work Force
NSIAD-93-123: Published: Feb 12, 1993. Publicly Released: Mar 16, 1993.
Additional Materials:
- Full Report:
Contact:
GAO provided information on the Department of Defense's (DOD) reduction of its civilian workforce.
GAO found that: (1) DOD had reduced its civilian workforce by 127,000 positions, which represented half of its targeted reductions; (2) sizeable reductions were still required to meet workforce goals, and most reductions would come from the Army and Navy civilian workforces; (3) DOD lacks clear guidelines and a defined ratio for civilian-to-military workforce reductions; (4) the military personnel system is attempting to maintain a balance between accessions and losses to control workforce composition and avoid skill imbalances, promotion and career stagnation, and losing a high percentage of senior personnel; (5) unlike the civilian personnel system, the military can define periods of obligatory service, control service continuation, predetermine the length of service without promotion, establish special retirement boards to select certain numbers of personnel for retirement, and operate outside of under Office of Management and Budget reduction-in-force requirements; (6) because the civilian personnel system is decentralized and relies on restricted hiring and attrition to meet reduction goals, personnel stagnation and skill imbalances have occurred and there is an increased need for involuntary separations; (7) new legislation will provide incentives and transition assistance for DOD civilian personnel to facilitate reductions; and (8) DOD needs a clear strategy for reducing the civilian workforce to avoid the adverse effects of downsizing and minimize skill imbalances.
Apr 18, 2018
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KC-46 Tanker Modernization:
Program Cost Is Stable, but Schedule May Be Further DelayedGAO-18-353: Published: Apr 18, 2018. Publicly Released: Apr 18, 2018.
Apr 17, 2018
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Amphibious Combat Vehicle:
Program Should Take Steps to Ensure Manufacturing ReadinessGAO-18-364: Published: Apr 17, 2018. Publicly Released: Apr 17, 2018. -
CIVILIAN AND CONTRACTOR WORKFORCES:
DOD's Cost Comparisons Addressed Most Report Elements but Excluded Some CostsGAO-18-399: Published: Apr 17, 2018. Publicly Released: Apr 17, 2018.
Apr 16, 2018
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Defense Business Systems:
DOD Needs to Continue Improving Guidance and Plans for Effectively Managing InvestmentsGAO-18-130: Published: Apr 16, 2018. Publicly Released: Apr 16, 2018. -
Military Bases:
DOD Should Address Challenges with Communication and Mission Changes to Improve Future Base Realignment and Closure RoundsGAO-18-231: Published: Mar 30, 2018. Publicly Released: Apr 16, 2018.
Apr 11, 2018
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Military Personnel:
DOD Needs to Reevaluate Fighter Pilot Workforce RequirementsGAO-18-113: Published: Apr 11, 2018. Publicly Released: Apr 11, 2018.
Mar 29, 2018
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DOD Contracted Services:
Long-Standing Issues Remain about Using Inventory for Management DecisionsGAO-18-330: Published: Mar 29, 2018. Publicly Released: Mar 29, 2018.
Mar 27, 2018
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Defense Infrastructure:
Action Needed to Increase the Reliability of Construction Cost EstimatesGAO-18-101: Published: Mar 27, 2018. Publicly Released: Mar 27, 2018.
Mar 13, 2018
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Military Housing Privatization:
DOD Should Take Steps to Improve Monitoring, Reporting, and Risk AssessmentGAO-18-218: Published: Mar 13, 2018. Publicly Released: Mar 13, 2018.
Feb 28, 2018
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Defense Management:
DOD Needs to Take Additional Actions to Promote Department-Wide CollaborationGAO-18-194: Published: Feb 28, 2018. Publicly Released: Feb 28, 2018.
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