Using Civilian Personnel for Military Administrative and Support Positions

Can More Be Done? Gao ID: FPCD-78-69 September 26, 1978

The Department of Defense's (DOD) longstanding policy has been to use civilians in positions which do not require military personnel, and the services have established policies, regulations, and guidelines compatible with this policy. DOD undertook major civilianization programs in fiscal years 1964-68 and 1973-75; since fiscal year 1964, over 100,000 jobs have been converted from military to civilian.

Even though DOD and the services have had conversion programs, their views have been more negative than positive, reflecting a traditional reluctance to reduce the number of military personnel and the need for programs to adjust the mix of military and civilian personnel. A 1977 DOD study suggested that the potential existed for converting about 50,000 more military positions to civilian positions. The Navy indicated that it was considering the conversion of 12,000 positions, but the Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps viewed a major civilianization program as detrimental to their readiness capability. Although the services are concerned about maintaining the ability to accomplish their missions effectively, DOD policy on the use of military and civilian personnel has not been revised.

Recommendations

Our recommendations from this work are listed below with a Contact for more information. Status will change from "In process" to "Open," "Closed - implemented," or "Closed - not implemented" based on our follow up work.

Director: Team: Phone:


The Justia Government Accountability Office site republishes public reports retrieved from the U.S. GAO These reports should not be considered official, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Justia.