DOD Force Mix Issues: Converting Some Support Officer Positions to Civilian Status Could Save Money
NSIAD-97-15
Published: Oct 23, 1996. Publicly Released: Oct 23, 1996.
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Highlights
GAO reviewed certain military support officer positions as possible candidates for conversion to civilian status, focusing on the: (1) criteria the military services use to determine which officer positions are military essential; (2) officer positions that could be filled with civilians without harming operational capabilities; and (3) cost savings achieved through the conversion of military positions to civilian status.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Defense | The Secretary of Defense should overcome the impediments to conversion, develop a plan to convert officer positions in support activities that are not military essential, and require that the services implement the plan and report back to the Secretary on progress in implementing the conversion plan. |
DOD does not intend to take action on this recommendation. DOD continues to believe that it would be unwise to convert a large number of military positions to civilian status until perceived problems pertaining to continuity of funding are solved.
|
| Department of Defense | To ensure that decisions identifying positions as military essential remain valid, the Secretary of Defense should develop a process to ensure that the need for military support positions is reassessed when major changes or reorganizations occur. |
Policy guidance addressing reassessment of support positions following major organizational changes will be included in the annual defense manpower guidance.
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Civilian employeesCombat readinessFederal employees retirement systemJob classificationMedicareMilitary cost controlMilitary downsizingMilitary officersMilitary operationsPersonnel managementStaff utilizationGovernment retirement benefits