Department of Defense Joint Officer Personnel Policies
Gao ID: T-NSIAD-88-13 February 3, 1988GAO discussed Department of Defense (DOD) joint officer personnel policies under the DOD Reorganization Act of 1986. GAO found that: (1) the act established a category of officers known as joint specialty officers, defined their education and experience requirements, and set their target promotion rates; (2) Congress did not adopt proposed DOD modifications to the policies to include in-service positions on joint duty assignments, redefine promotion objectives, and reduce the minimum tour lengths for joint duty assignments; (3) joint officers in the Air Force who served two joint tours during their field grade years could not complete their assignments and their education without taking time away from their normal assignments; (4) officers from the other services spent somewhat more time between promotions than Air Force officers; and (5) a 3.5-year duty tour, coupled with education, would alter the consecutive time officers spent away from their normal assignments.