Defense Reorganization

This report examines Defense Department guidelines for the preparation of contingency plans and focuses on whether the guidelines were in compliance with the Goldwater-Nichols Department of Defense Reorganization Act of 1986. It also discusses the role of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy in crisis planning. DOD has established guidance consistent with the provisions of the act. Policy guidance designates the Under Secretary for Policy as the principal staff assistant and advisor to the Secretary on all matters concerning the integration of DOD plans and policies with overall national security objectives. The first Contingency Planning Guidance document, issued in 1989, was prepared and coordinated by the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs because the position of Under Secretary for Policy was vacant at that time. While the 1990 guidance was sent to the White House in August of that year, it was not approved and thus not formally issued. This was the result of the iterative planning process underway in 1990 to address the dramatic changes in the world environment. The 1991 guidance was in the final stages of processing as of the end of August 1991 before being submitted to the President for approval.

GAO found: (1) DOD has established guidance consistent with the provisions of the Department of Defense Reorganization Act of 1986 addressing contingency plans; (2) since the passage of the DOD Reorganization Act in 1986, three contingency planning cycles have been undertaken, but as of August 31, 1992, the 1989 cycle is the only complete contingency planning cycle; and (3) DOD policy designates the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy as the principal staff assistant and advisor to the Secretary of Defense for all matters concerning the integration of DOD plans and policies with overall national security objectives.