Quadrennial Defense Review: Opportunities to Improve the Next Review
NSIAD-98-155
Published: Jun 25, 1998. Publicly Released: Jun 25, 1998.
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Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed whether: (1) the Quadrennial Defense Review's (QDR) force structure and modernization assessments examined alternatives to the planned force; and (2) opportunities exist to improve the structure and methodology of future QDRs. GAO did not evaluate the rationale for the Department of Defense's (DOD) proposed defense strategy.
Recommendations
Matter for Congressional Consideration
| Matter | Status | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| If Congress chooses to establish another panel of experts to provide an independent review of defense needs, it may wish to require the panel to complete its work prior to the next QDR. This approach could provide DOD with a broader set of options to examine in its review. |
Closed – Implemented
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The Senate version of the fiscal year 2001 National Defense Authorization Act included a provision that would have required a National Defense Panel to conduct an assessment of defense requirements prior to the QDR that will begin in late 2000. However, the House version of the bill did not include this provision, and the provision was not adopted by the conferees. Therefore, there will not be a National Defense Panel for the 2000 QDR. |
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Defense | To enhance the value of the next QDR, the Secretary of Defense should assign responsibility for overall oversight and coordination of DOD preparation efforts. Preparation tasks should include identifying the analytical tools and data needed to support force structure and modernization analyses, monitoring the status and funding for efforts to upgrade DOD's models, summarizing lessons learned from the 1997 QDR, and considering the need to change the structure and timing of the QDR process. |
Closed – Implemented
DOD has taken several steps to prepare for the 2000 QDR in accordance with GAO's recommendation. The Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy and Transformation has served as the focal point for much of DOD's coordination and preparation efforts for the 2000 QDR and has recommended that the Deputy Secretary of Defense should have overall responsibility for the effort. In addition, the Joint Staff issued guidance in February 2000 outlining the Joint Staff's role and organization for the 2000 QDR. The Office of the Secretary of Defense and the Joint Staff have undertaken a number of efforts to prepare for the 2000 QDR including: (1) tasking the Institute of Defense Analysis to provide a lessons learned assessment of the 1997 QDR and identify a framework for the 2000 QDR; (2) funding improvements in DOD wargaming models; (3) sponsoring a wargame series known as Dynamic Commitment 2000 to examine DOD's capability to perform a wide range of military operations; and (4) tasking the National Defense University to conduct several analyses.
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Topics
Agency missionsCombat readinessComputer modelingDefense contingency planningDefense operationsDefense procurementMilitary downsizingMilitary forcesProjectionsWeapons systems