Ensuring Retention of Essential Civilians Overseas During Hostilities

Highlights

GAO conducted a study to determine: (1) whether the military services were reasonably sure that contractor and Department of Defense (DOD) civilian support personnel would be available when needed overseas in the event of an outbreak of war; and (2) what actions might be taken to ensure continuity of essential functions during mobilization and conflict.

Recommendations

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected	Recommendation	Status
Department of Defense	DOD should expand its current policy proposals to include more specific guidance on what constitutes an essential civilian.	Closed – Implemented A DOD audit in August 1988 made new recommendations on this area and DOD is taking corrective actions.
Department of Defense	DOD should expand its current policy proposals to include the identification of the subset of very critical civilian positions.	Closed – Implemented A DOD audit in August 1988 made new recommendations on this area and DOD is taking corrective actions.
Department of Defense	DOD should expand its current policy proposals to include the tailoring of policy alternatives, based on the essentiality of individual positions, to provide an acceptable level of assurance that critical or essential civilians will remain at their posts, focusing first on those whose loss would have the most severe impact on combat missions.	Closed – Implemented A DOD audit in August 1988 made new recommendations on this area and DOD is taking corrective actions.

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Full Report (33 pages)

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National Defense

Americans employed abroadCivilian employeesDepartment of Defense contractorsHazardous military-duty payMaintenance (upkeep)National defense operationsPersonnel managementWeapons systemsMilitary forcesContractor personnel