Defense's Response to the Issues in the Defense Manpower Commission Report

A previous GAO report which evaluated the Department of Defense's (DOD) positions on issues contained in the Defense Manpower Commission report concluded that the DOD response to the Manpower Commission report lacked specific detail. In responding to GAO recommendations, DOD stated that it agreed with the recommendations and was taking action on them. The House Committee on Appropriations also required DOD to report on recommendations made in the Manpower Commission report.

In its report to the President and the Congress, DOD concluded that the Commission focused on the major staffing issues facing DOD and that results of the Commission efforts have had considerable effect on DOD. DOD responded to each of the 281 Commission recommendations, observations, and conclusions; it stated that it had accomplished 52, agreed with 105, agreed in part with 43, disagreed with 67, and was studying 14. It disagreed with the Commission on issues primarily in the areas of its manpower management, officer career management, and military compensation matters. Of the 14 conclusions and recommendations under study, 7 are in the area of military compensation. In its final responses, DOD deferred taking a position on six of the seven issues until the President's Commission on Military Compensation issued its report. The remaining seven issues under study are in the areas of manpower requirements, recruiting, development, utilization and the future of the all volunteer force. DOD provided GAO with more detailed information on Commission statements with which it agreed, agreed in part, or had under study. DOD met the requirements of the House Committee and the GAO recommendations.