Joint Manpower Process

In late 1995, the Defense Department (DOD) Inspector General (IG) reported significant shortcomings in the military's joint personnel requirements and management program and made recommendations to overcome these deficiencies. DOD agreed with 11 of the IG recommendations, partially concurred with five, and proposed other corrective measures to address the remaining recommendation. One recommendation has been fully implemented, and DOD has taken action on all but two of the others. However, resolution of most of the IG's concerns will not be completely accomplished for some time, if at all. For example, although DOD has drafted or is developing policies and procedures to address nine of the concerns, approval is not guaranteed because the policies and procedures are still being coordinated among the affected organizations. In addition, the corrective actions prescribed or planned in some cases may not adequately address the IG's concerns.

GAO noted that: (1) DOD management concurred with 11 of the DOD IG recommendations, partially concurred with 5, and proposed alternative corrective action to satisfy the intent of the remaining recommendation; (2) one recommendation has been fully implemented and DOD has taken some action on all but two of the others; (3) however, resolution of most of the concerns raised by the DOD IG will not be completely accomplished for some time, if at all; (4) for example, although DOD has drafted or is developing policies and procedures to address nine of the concerns, approval is not assured because the policies and procedures are still being coordinated among the affected organizations; and (5) in addition, the corrective actions prescribed or planned in some cases may not adequately address the DOD IG's concerns.