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United States Government Accountability Office: 

DOD Transformation: Challenges And Opportunities: 

The Honorable David M. Walker: 
Comptroller General of the United States: 

Army War College: 
February 12, 2007: 

The Case for Change: 

The federal government is on a "burning platform," and the status quo 
way of doing business is unacceptable for a variety of reasons, 
including: 

Past fiscal trends and significant long-range challenges: 

Rising public expectations for demonstrable results and enhanced 
responsiveness: 

Selected trends and challenges having no boundaries: 

Additional resource demands due to Iraq, Afghanistan, incremental 
homeland security needs, and recent natural disasters in the United 
States: 

Numerous government performance/accountability and high risk 
challenges: 

Outdated federal organizational structures, policies, and practices: 

Composition of Federal Spending: 

[See PDF for image] - graphic text 
	
3 pie charts with 5 items each. 
	
1966: 
Defense: 43.0%; 
Social Security: 15.0%; 
Medicare & Medicaid: 1.0%; 
Net interest: 7.0%; 
All other spending: 34.0%. 

1986: 
Defense: 28.0%; 
Social Security: 20.0%; 
Medicare & Medicaid: 10.0%; 
Net interest: 14.0%; 
All other spending: 29.0%. 

2006: 
Defense: 20.0%; 
Social Security: 21.0%; 
Medicare & Medicaid: 19.0%; 
Net interest: 9.0%; 
All other spending: 32.0%. 

Source: Office of Management and Budget. 

Note: Numbers may not add to 100 percent due to rounding. 

[end of figure] 

Federal Spending for Mandatory and Discretionary Programs: 

[See PDF for image] - graphic text 
	
3 pie charts with 3 items each. 

1966: 
Discretionary: 67%; 
Mandatory: 26%; 
Net Interest: 7%. 

1986: 
Discretionary: 44%; 
Mandatory: 42%; 
Net Interest: 14%. 

2006: 
Discretionary: 38%; 
Mandatory: 53%; 
Net Interest: 9%. 

Source: Office of Management and Budget. 

[End of figure] 

Surplus or Deficit as a Share of GDP Fiscal Years 1962-2006: 

[See PDF for image] - graphic text: 
	
Line/Stacked Bar combo chart with 1 line (Unified) and 43 bars. 
	
Fiscal year: 1962; 
On-budget: -1%; 
Off-budget: -0.2%; 
Unified: -1.3%. 

Fiscal year: 1963; 
On-budget: -0.7%; 
Off-budget: -0.1%; 
Unified: -0.8%. 

Fiscal year: 1964; 
On-budget: -1%; 
Off-budget: 0.1%; 
Unified: -0.9%. 

Fiscal year: 1965; 
On-budget: -0.2%; 
Off-budget: No data; 
Unified: -0.2%. 

Fiscal year: 1966; 
On-budget: -0.4%; 
Off-budget: -0.1%; 
Unified: -0.5%. 

Fiscal year: 1967; 
On-budget: -1.6%; 
Off-budget: 0.5%; 
Unified: -1.1%. 

Fiscal year: 1968; 
On-budget: -3.2%; 
Off-budget: 0.3%; 
Unified: -2.9%. 

Fiscal year: 1969; 
On-budget: -0.1%; 
Off-budget: 0.4%; 
Unified: 0.3%. 

Fiscal year: 1970; 
On-budget: -0.9%; 
Off-budget: 0.6%; 
Unified: -0.3%. 

Fiscal year: 1971; 
On-budget: -2.4%; 
Off-budget: 0.3%; 
Unified: -2.1%. 

Fiscal year: 1972; 
On-budget: -2.2%; 
Off-budget: 0.3%; 
Unified: -2%. 

Fiscal year: 1973; 
On-budget: -1.2%; 
Off-budget: No data; 
Unified: -1.1%. 

Fiscal year: 1974; 
On-budget: -0.6%; 
Off-budget: 0.1%; 
Unified: -0.4%. 

Fiscal year: 1975; 
On-budget: -3.5%; 
Off-budget: 0.1%; 
Unified: -3.4%. 

Fiscal year: 1976; 
On-budget: -4.1%; 
Off-budget: -0.2%; 
Unified: -4.2%. 

Fiscal year: 1977; 
On-budget: -2.5%; 
Off-budget: -0.2%; 
Unified: -2.7%. 

Fiscal year: 1978; 
On-budget: -2.5%; 
Off-budget: -0.2%; 
Unified: -2.7%. 

Fiscal year: 1979; 
On-budget: -1.5%; 
Off-budget: -0.1%; 
Unified: -1.6%. 

Fiscal year: 1980; 
On-budget: -2.7%; 
Off-budget: No data; 
Unified: -2.7%. 

Fiscal year: 1981; 
On-budget: -2.4%; 
Off-budget: -0.2%; 
Unified: -2.6%. 

Fiscal year: 1982; 
On-budget: -3.7%; 
Off-budget: -0.2%; 
Unified: -4%. 

Fiscal year: 1983; 
On-budget: -6%; 
Off-budget: No data; 
Unified: -6%. 

Fiscal year: 1984; 
On-budget: -4.8%; 
Off-budget: No data; 
Unified: -4.8%. 

Fiscal year: 1985; 
On-budget: -5.3%; 
Off-budget: 0.2%; 
Unified: -5.1%. 

Fiscal year: 1986; 
On-budget: -5.4%; 
Off-budget: 0.4%; 
Unified: -5%. 

Fiscal year: 1987; 
On-budget: -3.6%; 
Off-budget: 0.4%; 
Unified: -3.2%. 

Fiscal year: 1988; 
On-budget: -3.9%; 
Off-budget: 0.8%; 
Unified: -3.1%. 

Fiscal year: 1989; 
On-budget: -3.8%; 
Off-budget: 1%; 
Unified: -2.8%. 

Fiscal year: 1990; 
On-budget: -4.8%; 
Off-budget: 1%; 
Unified: -3.9%. 

Fiscal year: 1991; 
On-budget: -5.4%; 
Off-budget: 0.9%; 
Unified: -4.5%. 

Fiscal year: 1992; 
On-budget: -5.5%; 
Off-budget: 0.8%; 
Unified: -4.7%. 

Fiscal year: 1993; 
On-budget: -4.6%; 
Off-budget: 0.7%; 
Unified: -3.9%. 

Fiscal year: 1994; 
On-budget: -3.7%; 
Off-budget: 0.8%; 
Unified: -2.9%. 

Fiscal year: 1995; 
On-budget: -3.1%; 
Off-budget: 0.9%; 
Unified: -2.2%. 

Fiscal year: 1996; 
On-budget: -2.3%; 
Off-budget: 0.9%; 
Unified: -1.4%. 

Fiscal year: 1997; 
On-budget: -1.3%; 
Off-budget: 1%; 
Unified: -0.3%. 

Fiscal year: 1998; 
On-budget: -0.3%; 
Off-budget: 1.1%; 
Unified: 0.8%. 

Fiscal year: 1999; 
On-budget: No data; 
Off-budget: 1.4%; 
Unified: 1.4%. 

Fiscal year: 2000; 
On-budget: 0.9%; 
Off-budget: 1.5%; 
Unified: 2.4%. 

Fiscal year: 2001; 
On-budget: -0.3%; 
Off-budget: 1.6%; 
Unified: 1.3%. 

Fiscal year: 2002; 
On-budget: -3.1%; 
Off-budget: 1.5%; 
Unified: -1.5%. 

Fiscal year: 2003; 
On-budget: -4.9%; 
Off-budget: 1.5%; 
Unified: -3.5%. 

Fiscal year: 2004; 
On-budget: -4.9%; 
Off-budget: 1.3%; 
Unified: -3.6%. 

Fiscal year: 2005; 
On-budget: -4%; 
Off-budget: 1.4%; 
Unified: -2.6%. 

Fiscal year: 2006; 
On-Budget: -3.3; 
Off-budget: 1.4; 
Unified: -1.9.

Source: Office of Management and Budget, Department of the Treasury and 
the Congressional Budget Office. 

[End of figure] 

Fiscal Year 2005 and 2006 Deficits and Net Operating Costs: 

Dollars in billions. 
	
On-Budget Deficit; 
Fiscal Year 2005: ($494); 
Fiscal Year 2006: ($434). 

Unified Deficit; 
Fiscal Year 2005: ($318); 
Fiscal Year 2006: ($248). 

Net Operating Cost; 
Fiscal Year 2005: ($760); 
Fiscal Year 2006: ($450). 

Sources: The Office of Management and Budget and the Department of the 
Treasury. 

[A] Includes $173 billion in Social Security surpluses for fiscal year 
2005 and $185 billion for fiscal year 2006; $2 billion in Postal 
Service surpluses for fiscal year 2005 and $1 billion for fiscal year 
2006. 

[B] Fiscal year 2005 and 2006 net operating cost figures reflect 
significant but opposite changes in certain actuarial costs. For 
example, changes in interest rates and other assumptions used to 
estimate future veterans' compensation benefits increased net operating 
cost by $228 billion in 2005 and reduced net operating cost by $167 
billion in 2006. Therefore, the net operating costs for fiscal years 
2005 and 2006, exclusive of the effect of these actuarial cost 
fluctuations, were ($532) billion and ($617) billion, respectively. 

[End of table] 

Major Reported Long-Term Fiscal Exposures ($ trillions): 

Explicit liabilities (Publicly held debt, military & civilian pensions 
& retiree health, other); 	
2000: $6.9; 
2006: $10.4; 
Percent Increase: 52%. 

Commitments & Contingencies: e.g., PBGC, undelivered orders; 
2000: $0.5; 
2006: $1.3; 
Percent Increase: 140%. 

Implicit exposures; 
2000: $13.0; 
2006: $38.8; 
Percent Increase: 197%.

Implicit exposures: Future Social Security benefits; 
2000: $3.8; 
2006: $6.4; 
Percent Increase: [Empty]. 

Implicit exposures: Future Medicare Part A benefits; 
2000: $2.7; 
2006: $11.3; 
Percent Increase: [Empty]. 

Implicit exposures: Medicare Part B benefits; 
2000: $6.5; 
2006: $13.1; 
Percent Increase: [Empty]. 

Implicit exposures: Medicare Part D benefits; 
2006: $8.0; 
Percent Increase: [Empty]. 

Total; 
2000: $20.4; 
2006: $50.5; 
Percent Increase: 147%. 

Source: 2000 and 2006 Financial Report of the United States Government. 

Note: Estimates for Social Security and Medicare are at present value 
as of January 1 of each year and all other data are as of September 30. 
Totals may not add due to rounding. Percentage increases are based on 
actual data and may differ from increases calculated from rounded data 
shown in table. 

[End of table] 

Understanding the Size of Major Reported Fiscal Exposures: 

Our fiscal burden can be translated and compared as follows: 

2006 data: 

Major reported fiscal exposures: $50.5 trillion. 
Total household net worth: $53.3 trillion: 
* Ratio of fiscal exposures to net worth: 95 percent. 

Burden: 
Per person: $170,000; 
Per full-time worker: $400,000; 
Per household: $440,000. 

Income: 
Median household income: $46,326; 
Disposable personal income per capita: $31,519. 
Ratio of household burden to median income: 9.5. 

Sources: GAO analysis of data from the Department of the Treasury, 
Federal Reserve Board, U.S. Census Bureau and Bureau of Economic 
Analysis. 

[End of table] 

Composition of Spending as a Share of GDP Under Baseline Extended 
(January 2001): 

[See PDF for image] - graphic text: 
	
Line/Stacked Bar combo chart with 4 groups, 1 line (Revenue) and 4 bars 
per group. 	

2005; 
Net interest: 0.8%; 
Social Security: 4.3%; 
Medicare & Medicaid: 3.7%; 
All other spending: 8.0%; 
Revenue: 20.3%. 

2015[A]; 
Net interest: 0%; 
Social Security: 5.1%; 
Medicare & Medicaid: 4.9%; 
All other spending: 5.6%; 
Revenue: 20.4%. 

2030[A]; 
Net interest: 0%; 
Social Security: 6.6%; 
Medicare & Medicaid: 9.4%; 
All other spending: 4.0%; 
Revenue: 20.4%. 

2040[A]; 
Net interest: 0%; 
Social Security: 6.7%; 
Medicare & Medicaid: 9.0%; 
All other spending: 4.4%; 
Revenue: 20.4%.

Source: GAO's January 2001 analysis. 

[A] All other spending is net of offsetting interest receipts. 

[End of figure] 

Composition of Spending as a Share of GDP: 

Assuming Discretionary Spending rows with GDP After 2007 and All 
Expiring Tax Provisions are Extended: 

[See PDF for image] - graphic text: 
	
Line/Stacked Bar combo chart with 4 groups, 1 line (Revenue) and 4 bars 
per group. 	
	
2006; 
Net interest: 1.7%; 
Social Security: 4.2%; 
Medicare & Medicaid: 3.9%; 
All other spending: 10.5%; 
Revenue: 18.4% 

2015; 
Net interest: 2.1%; 
Social Security: 4.6%; 
Medicare & Medicaid: 4.9%; 
All other spending: 9.6%; 
Revenue: 17.6% 

2030; 
Net interest: 5.9%; 
Social Security: 6.8%; 
Medicare & Medicaid: 8.3%; 
All other spending: 9.%; 
Revenue: 17.8% 

2040; 
Net interest: 12.1%; 
Social Security: 7.6%; 
Medicare & Medicaid: 10.3%; 
All other spending: 9.5%; 
Revenue: 17.8%

Source: GAO's January 2007 analysis. 

[End of figure] 

Current Fiscal Policy Is Unsustainable: 

The "Status Quo" is Not an Option: 

* We face large and growing structural deficits largely due to known 
demographic trends and rising health care costs. 

* GAO's simulations show that balancing the budget in 2040 could 
require actions as large as: 

- Cutting total federal spending by 60 percent or: 

- Raising federal taxes to 2 times today's level: 

 Faster Economic Growth Can Help, but It Cannot Solve the Problem: 

* Closing the current long-term fiscal gap based on reasonable 
assumptions would require real average annual economic growth in the 
double digit range every year for the next 75 years. 

* During the 1990s, the economy grew at an average 3.2 percent per 
year. 

* As a result, we cannot simply grow our way out of this problem. Tough 
choices will be required. 

The Way Forward: A Three-Pronged Approach: 

1. Improve Financial Reporting, Public Education, and Performance 
Metrics: 

2. Strengthen Budget and Legislative Processes and Controls: 

3. Fundamental Reexamination & Transformation for the 21st Century 
(i.e., entitlement programs, other spending, and tax policy): 

Solutions Require Active Involvement from both the Executive and 
Legislative Branches: 

Key National Indicators: 

What: A portfolio of economic, social, and environmental outcome- based 
measures that could be used to help assess the nations and other 
governmental jurisdictions position and progress: 

Who: Many countries and several states, regions, and localities have 
already undertaken related initiatives (e. ., Australia, New Zealand, 
Canada, United Kingdom Oregon' Silicon Valley California and Boston: 

Why: Development of such a portfolio of indicators could have a number 
of possible benefits, including: 

* Serving as a framework for related strategic planning efforts: 

* Enhancing performance and accountability reporting: 

* Informing public policy decisions, including much needed baseline 
reviews of existing government policies, programs, functions, and 
activities: 

* Facilitating public education and debate as well as an informed 
electorate: 

Way Forward: Consortium of key players housed by the National Academies 
domestically and related efforts by the OEM and others internationally. 

Key National Indicators: Where the World's Sole Superpower Ranks: 

The United States may be the only superpower, but compared to most 
other OECD countries on selected key economic, social, and 
environmental indicators, on average, the U.S. ranks: 

16 0ut Of 28: 

OECD Categories for Kev Indicators: 

* Population/Migration; 
* Energy; 
* Environment; 
* Quality of Life. 
* Macroeconomic Trends; 
* Labor Market; 
* Education; 
* Economic Globalization. 
* Prices; 
* Science & Tech; 
* Public Finance. 

Source: 2006 OECD Factbook. 

GAO's Strategic Plan: 

Serving The Congress And The Nation GAO's Strategic Plan Framework: 

Mission GAO exists to support the Congress in meeting its 
constitutional responsibilities and to help improve the performance and 
ensure the accountability of the federal government for the benefit of 
the American people. 

Goals and Objectives: 

Provide Timely, Quality Service to the Congress and the Federal 
Government to. 

Address Current and Emerging Challenges to the Well-Being and Financial 
Security of the American People related to. 

* Health care needs and financing: 

* Education and protection of children: 

* Work opportunities and worker protection: 

* Retirement income security: 

* Effective system of justice: 

* Viable communities: 

* Natural resources use and environmental protection: 

* Physical infrastructure: 

Respond to Changing Security Threats and the Challenges of Global 
Interdependence involving. 

* Emerging threats: 

* Advancement of U.S. interests: 

* Military capabilities and readiness: 

* Global market forces: 

Help Transform the Federal Government's Role and How It Does Business 
to Meet 21st Century Challenges by assessing. 

* Roles in achieving federal objectives: 

* Government transformation: 

* Key management challenges and program risks: 

* Fiscal position and financing of the government: 

Quality of Life: 

Maximize the Value of GAO by Being a Model Federal Agency and a World- 
Class Professional Services Organization in the areas of. 

* Client and customer satisfaction: 

* Strategic leadership: 

* Institutional knowledge and experience: 

* Process improvement: 

* Employer of choice: 

Themes: 

Long-term Fiscal Imbalance: 
National Security: 
Global Interdependence: 
Changing Economy: 
Demographics: 
Science and Technology: 
Quality of Life: 
Governance: 

Core Values: 

Accountability: 
Integrity: 
Reliability: 

Source: GAO. 

GAO's High-Risk List 2007: 

High Risk Areas: Addressing Challenges in Broad-based Transformations: 
Strategic Human Capital Management[A]; 
Designated High Risk: 2001. 

High Risk Areas: Addressing Challenges in Broad-based Transformations: 
Managing Federal real Property[A]; 
Designated High Risk: 2003. 

High Risk Areas: Addressing Challenges in Broad-based Transformations: 
Protecting the federal government's Information Systems and the 
Nation's Critical Infrastructures; 
Designated High Risk: 1997. 

High Risk Areas: Addressing Challenges in Broad-based Transformations: 
Implementing an transforming the Department of Homeland Security; 
Designated High Risk: 2003. 

High Risk Areas: Addressing Challenges in Broad-based Transformations: 
Establishing appropriate and effective information-sharing mechanisms 
to improve Homeland Security; 
Designated High Risk: 2005. 

High Risk Areas: Addressing Challenges in Broad-based Transformations: 
DOD approach to business transformation[A];  
Designated High Risk: 2005. 

High Risk Areas: Addressing Challenges in Broad-based Transformations: 
DOD approach to business transformation[A]: DOD Business Systems 
Modernization 
Designated High Risk: 1995. 

High Risk Areas: Addressing Challenges in Broad-based Transformations: 
DOD approach to business transformation[A]: DOD Personnel Security 
Clearance Program; 
Designated High Risk: 2005. 

High Risk Areas: Addressing Challenges in Broad-based Transformations: 
DOD approach to business transformation[A]: DOD Support Infrastructure 
Management; 
Designated High Risk: 1997. 

High Risk Areas: Addressing Challenges in Broad-based Transformations: 
DOD approach to business transformation[A]: DOD Financial Management; 
Designated High Risk: 1995. 

High Risk Areas: Addressing Challenges in Broad-based Transformations: 
DOD approach to business transformation[A]: DOD Supply Chain 
Management; 
Designated High Risk: 1990. 

High Risk Areas: Addressing Challenges in Broad-based Transformations: 
DOD approach to business transformation[A]: DOD Weapon Systems 
Acquisition; 
Designated High Risk: 1990. 

High Risk Areas: Addressing Challenges in Broad-based Transformations: 
FAA Air Traffic Control Modernization; 
Designated High Risk: 1995. 

High Risk Areas: Addressing Challenges in Broad-based Transformations: 
Financing the Nation's Transportation System[A] (New); 
Designated High Risk: 2007. 

High Risk Areas: Addressing Challenges in Broad-based Transformations: 
Ensuring the Effective Protection of Technologies Critical to U.S. 
National Security Interests[A] (New); 
Designated High Risk: 2007. 

High Risk Areas: Addressing Challenges in Broad-based Transformations: 
Transforming Federal Oversight of Food Safety[A] (New); 
Designated High Risk: 2007. 

High Risk Areas: Managing Federal Contracting More effectively:  DOD 
Contract Management; 
Designated High Risk: 1992. 

High Risk Areas: Managing Federal Contracting More effectively:  DOE 
Contract Management; 
Designated High Risk: 1990. 

High Risk Areas: Managing Federal Contracting More effectively:  NASA 
Contract Management; 
Designated High Risk: 1990. 

High Risk Areas: Managing Federal Contracting More effectively:  
Management of Interagency Contracting; 
Designated High Risk: 2005. 

High Risk Areas: Assessing the Efficiency and Effectiveness of Tax Law 
Administration: Enforcement of Tax Laws[A]; 
Designated High Risk: 1990. 

High Risk Areas: Assessing the Efficiency and Effectiveness of Tax Law 
Administration: IRS Business Systems Modernization[C]; 
Designated High Risk: 1995. 

High Risk Areas: Modernizing and Safeguarding Insurance and Benefit 
Programs: Modernizing Federal Disability Program[A]; 
Designated High Risk: 2003.  

High Risk Areas: Modernizing and Safeguarding Insurance and Benefit 
Programs: Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation Single-Employer Pension
Insurance Program; 
Designated High Risk: 2003. 

High Risk Areas: Modernizing and Safeguarding Insurance and Benefit 
Programs: Medicare program[A]; 
Designated High Risk: 1990. 

High Risk Areas: Modernizing and Safeguarding Insurance and Benefit 
Programs: Medicaid program[A]; 
Designated High Risk:  2003. 

High Risk Areas: Modernizing and Safeguarding Insurance and Benefit 
Programs: National Flood Insurance Program[A]; 
Designated High Risk: 2006. 

Source: GAO. 

[A] Legislation is likely to be necessary, as a supplement to actions 
by the executive branch, in order to effectively address this high-risk 
area. 

[End of table] 

21st Century Challenges Report: 

Provides background, framework, and questions to assist in reexamining 
the base: 

Covers entitlements & other mandatory spending, discretionary spending, 
and tax policies and programs: 

Based on GAO's work for the Congress: 

Issued February 16, 2005: 

Source: GAO. 

Twelve Reexamination Areas: 

Mission Areas: 

* Defense: 

* Education & Employment: 

* Financial Regulation & Housing: 

* Health Care: 

* Homeland Security: 

* International Affairs: 

* Natural Resources, Energy & Environment: 

* Retirement & Disability: 

* Science & Technology: 

* Transportation: 

Crosscutting Areas: 

* Improving Governance: 

* Reexamining the Tax System: 

Generic Reexamination Criteria and Sample questions: 

Relevance of purpose and the federal role: 

Why did the federal government initiate this program and what was the 
government trying to accomplish? 

Have there been significant changes in the country or the world that 
relate to the reason for initiating it? 

Measuring success: 

Are there outcome-based measures? If not, why? 

If there are outcome-based measures, how successful is it based on 
these measures? 

Targeting benefits: 

Is it well targeted to those with the greatest needs and the least 
capacity to meet those needs? 

Affordability and cost effectiveness: 

Is it using the most cost-effective or net beneficial approaches when 
compared to other tools and program designs? 

Best practices: 

Is the responsible entity employing prevailing best practices to 
discharge its responsibilities and achieve its mission? 

Illustrative 21st Century Questions: National Defense: 

How should the historical allocation of resources across services and 
programs be changed to reflect the results of a forward-looking 
comprehensive threat/risk assessment as part of DOD's capabilities- 
based approach to determining defense needs? 

Can DOD afford to invest in transformational systems such as the Future 
Combat System and national missile defense at the same time it 
continues to pursue large investments in legacy systems such as the F- 
22A and new systems like the Joint Strike Fighter, especially if cost 
growth and schedule delays continue at historical rates? 

Given the global availability of rapidly advancing technology, does DOD 
need to reconsider its approach for identifying critical technologies 
and protecting those technologies from being exploited in order to 
maintain its military superiority? 

Given the growing encumbrance of pay and benefit costs, especially 
health care, within DOD's budget, how might DOD's recruitment, 
retention, and compensation strategies (including benefit programs) be 
reexamined and revised to ensure that DOD maintains a total military 
and civilian workforce with the mix of skills needed to execute the 
national security strategy while using resources in a more targeted, 
evidence-based, and cost-effective manner? 

Do the role, size, and structure of forces and capabilities comprising 
the strategic triad need to be adjusted to meet the challenges of 
providing strategic deterrence in the new security and fiscal 
environment? 

Does DOD need to create a senior management position responsible and 
accountable for taking a strategic, integrated, and sustained approach 
to managing the day-to-day business operations of the department, 
including ongoing efforts to transform DOD's business operations and 
address the many related and longstanding high-risk areas? Should 
specific qualifications requirements and periods of tenure or terms be 
established for selected DOD positions related to key business 
operations? 

Securing, Stabilizing, and Rebuilding Iraq: GAO's Audit Approach and 
Findings: 

Since 2003, GAO has issued 67 Iraq-related reports and testimonies: 

Our analysis of the National Strategy for Victory in Iraq recommended 
that the National Security Council improve the strategy by articulating 
clearer roles and responsibilities, including key metrics and 
milestones, specifying future contributions, and identifying current 
costs and future resources: 

In our examination of the cost of U.S. military operations abroad, we 
recommended that the Secretary of Defense improve the transparency and 
reliability of DOD's Global War on Terror (GWOT) obligation data. We 
also recommended that DOD build more funding into the baseline budget 
once an operation reaches a known level of effort and costs are more 
predictable: 

In assessing the capabilities of Iraqi security forces, we found that 
overall security conditions in Iraq have deteriorated despite increases 
in the numbers of trained and equipped security forces. A complete 
assessment of Iraqi security forces' capabilities is dependent on DOD 
providing GAO with the readiness levels of Iraqi units: 

We found that DOD faces significant challenges in maintaining U.S. 
military readiness for overseas and homeland missions and in sustaining 
rotational deployments of duty, especially if the duration and 
intensity of current operations continue at the present pace: 

In assessing the impact of ongoing military operations in Ira g on 
military equipment, we found that the Army and the Marine Corps have 
initiated programs to reset (repair or replace) equipment and are 
likely to incur large expenditures in the future: 

In reviewing efforts to secure munitions sites and provide force 
protection, we recommended that DOD conduct a theater wide survey and 
risk assessment of unsecured conventional munitions in Iraq and 
incorporate storage site security into strategic planning efforts: 

In assessing acquisition outcomes, we found that DOD often entered into 
contract arrangements with unclear requirements, which posed additional 
risks to the government. DOD also lacked the capacity to provide 
sufficient numbers of contracting, logistics, and other personnel, 
thereby hindering oversight efforts: 

Key Oversight Areas for the 110th Congress: 

Examples of targets for near-term oversight: 

Reducing the tax gap: 

Addressing governmentwide acquisition and contracting issues: 

Transforming the business operations of the Departments of Defense: 

Examples of policies and programs that are in need of fundamental 
reform and re-engineering: 

Reviewing U.S. and coalition efforts to stabilize and rebuild Iraq and 
Afghanistan: 

Ensuring a strategic and integrated approach to prepare for, respond 
to, recover, and rebuild from catastrophic events: 

Reforming the tax code: 

Examples of governance issues that should be addressed to help ensure 
an economical, efficient ethical and equitable federal government 
capable of responding to the various challenges and capitalizing on 
related opportunities in the 21St century: 

Reviewing the need for various bud et controls and legislative process 
revisions in light of current deficits and our long-range fiscal 
imbalance: 

Pursuing the development of key national indicators: 

Reviewing the impact and effectiveness of various management reforms: 

Suggested DOD Related Oversight Areas for the 110t" Congress: 

Address acquisition and contracting issues. 

Transform business operations, including addressing all related "High 
Risk" areas. 

Enhance information sharing, accelerate transformation, and improve 
oversight related to the Nation's intelligence agencies. 

Strengthen efforts to prevent proliferation of nuclear, chemical, and 
biological weapons and their delivery systems (missiles). 

Ensure a successful transformation of the nuclear weapons complex. 

Review U.S. and Coalition efforts to stabilize and rebuild Iraq and 
Afghanistan, including how these efforts are to be funded. 

Assess overall military readiness, transformation efforts, and existing 
plans to assure the sustainability of the All-Volunteer Force. 

Note: From November 17, 2006 letter to the 110th Congress (GAO-07- 
235R): 

Transformation: 

Webster's definition: An act, process, or instance of change in 
structure appearance, or character. 

A conversion, revolution, makeover, alteration, or renovation: 

The Objective of Transformation: 

Creating a more positive future by maximizing value and mitigating risk 
within current and expected resource levels: 

The Objective of Transformation for DOD: 

Creating the future of warfare and protecting our national security 
while improving how the department, including all of its various 
component parts, does business in order to support and sustain our 
position as the world's preeminent military power within current and 
expected resource limits: 

DOD Faces the Challenge of Balancing Near Term and Long Term Wants, 
Needs, and Affordability: 

In FY 2007 constant dollars, DOD's regular budget has grown from about 
$351 billion in FY 2001 to about $425 billion in FY 2006. To date, 
DOD's FY 2007 regular budget is funded at about $378 billion, with 
decisions on additional funding for military construction and other 
programs still pending. Supplemental funding for the Global War on 
Terrorism (GWOT) has added hundreds of billions of dollars to DOD's 
available budgetary resources. 

Near term, DOD is paying for the GWOT and facing challenges in 
maintaining readiness. 

Long term, DOD must address military pay and benefits and weapons 
modernization and force transformation, which may not be affordable or 
sustainable. 

DOD's efforts to transform its business systems and processes will take 
many years to achieve, but could free up resources through efficiencies 
and reduction in waste. 

DOD's Regular Budget Growth (Excluding GWOT): DOD Regular Appropriation 
FY 2001-2007: 

[See PDF for Image]- graphic text: 

Bar graph. 

Dollars in billions. 

Year: 2001; 
Amount: $351.4. 

Year: 2002; 
Amount: $378.1. 

Year: 2003; 
Amount: $409.8. 

Year: 2004; 
Amount: $411.5. 

Year: 2005; 
Amount: $422.5. 

Year: 2006; 
Amount: $425.5. 

Year: 2007; 
Amount: $377.6. 

Source: GAO analysis of Congressional Research Service data. 

Note: The FY 2007 figure does not include funding for military 
construction and other programs, which is being considered in a single 
appropriations bill that has not yet been passed. All amounts are in 
constant 2007 dollars. 

[End of figure] 

Total Budgetary Resources Provided to DOD Total Defense Resources FY 
2001-2007 (as of January 2007): 

[See PDF for Image] - graphic text: 
	
Bar graph each divided into 3 or 4 sections. 

Year: 2005; 
Regular: $422.5; 
Bridge: $26.3; 
Supplement: $83.2; 
Estimated Supplement Request: $0. 

Year: 2006; 
Regular: $425.5; 
Bridge: $51.2; 
Supplement: $75.8; 
Estimated Supplement Request: $0. 

Year: 2007; 
Regular: $377.6; 
Bridge: $70. 
Supplement: $0. 
Estimated Supplement Request: $99.7. 

Source: GAO analysis of Congressional Research Service data. 

Notes: Bridge, or Title IX, is the section of DOD's regular defense 
appropriation that outlines emergency spending provisions for 
operations in support of GWOT. The figure shown for the FY 2007 regular 
appropriation does not include funding for military construction and 
other programs, which is being considered in a single appropriations 
bill that has not yet been passed. DOD's FY 2007 supplemental request, 
not yet submitted, has been estimated at about $100 billion. All 
amounts are in constant 2007 dollars. 

[End of figure] 

DOD's Reported GWOT Obligations for FY 2001 thru FY 2006: 

[See PDF for Image] - graphic text: 
	
Bar graph. 

Dollars in billions. 

FY01: $0.25. 
FY02: $16.64. 
FY03: $61.03. 
FY04: $71.26. 
FY05: $84.79. 
FY06: $98.44. 

Source: GAO analysis of DOD data. 

Note: Reported GWOT obligations include Operation Noble Eagle, 
Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Figures do not 
include about $17.9 billion obligated in FY 2001-2003 that DOD did not 
include in its cost reports, or any obligations for classified 
activities. GAO has assessed the reliability of DOD's obligation data 
and found significant problems, such that they may not accurately 
reflect the true dollar value of GWOT obligations. 

[End of figure] 

DOD's Reported GWOT Obligations by Operation for FYs 2004, 2005, 2006: 

[See PDF for Image] - graphic text: 

Bar graph with 3 column divided into 3 sections. 

Dollars in billions. 

FY04; 
OIF: $57.15; 
OEF: $10.26; 
ONE: $3.83. 

FY05; 
OIF: $71.99; 
OEF: $10.61; 
ONE: $2.13. 

FY06; 
OIF: $84.43; 
OEF: $14.19; 
ONE: $0.82. 

Source: GAO. 

Notes: GAO has assessed the reliability of DOD's obligation data and 
found significant problems, such that they may not accurately reflect 
the true dollar value of GWOT obligations. 

[End of figure] 

Increased Budget Transparency Needed: 

Based on recent DOD guidance, the rules governing what can be included 
in the FY 2007 supplemental funding request have been expanded to 
include items not strictly limited to ongoing operations, but overall 
efforts related to the larger war on terror. 

The lines between what is being funded through annual and supplemental 
appropriations are becoming increasingly blurred, making it difficult 
for decision makers to understand and balance DOD's wants, needs, and 
affordability. 

To provide greater transparency over its budget, DOD should consider 
moving certain GWOT costs into the baseline budget to assist decision 
makers in weighing priorities and trade-offs when making financial 
decisions. 

DOD needs to take stronger actions to control GWOT costs by setting 
general parameters to guide commanders and services cost control 
efforts. 

GAO has found significant reliability problems with the GWOT cost data, 
which impedes the ability of Congress and others to make informed 
decisions about GWT costs and related funding needs. 

Balancing Wants, Needs and Affordability: Maintaining Near Term 
Readiness: 

Readiness is being measured against two different standards 1) the 
traditional war time missions that units are expected to undertake 
based on their structure, and 2) their currently directed missions- 
primarily, supporting operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. 

Although there are some concerns with deployed units, the deployed 
units are in better shape to undertake the currently directed missions 
than non-deployed units because they receive priority for personnel and 
equipment. 

When measured against traditional war time missions, there are 
readiness concerns (equipment, personnel, and training) for both 
deployed and non-deployed units. 

Balancing Wants, Needs and Affordability: Reexamining Active Duty 
Personnel Pay and Benefits: 

Figure: Total Compensation Costs for Fiscal Years 2000-2004: 

[See PDF for image] -- graphic text: 

Bar graph with five items. 

2004 constant dollars. 

2000: $123; 
2001: $131; 
2002: $141; 
2003: $155; 
2004: $158. 

Source: GAO-05-798. 

Note: Our calculations include supplemental funding for the Global War 
on Terrorism. Since fiscal year 2002 over 100,000 mobilized reservists 
were paid out of the cash compensation. If you considered these 
personnel, the average costs to provide compensation would be about 
$5,000 per capita lower. 

[End of figure] 

The cost of active duty pay and benefits was $158 billion in fiscal 
year 2004 and growing. 

Enhanced pay and benefits, including health care costs, increased costs 
to an average of $111,783 per person. 

DOD needs to assess the affordability and sustainability of the 
compensation system and the reasonableness and appropriateness of the 
allocation to cash and benefits and whether changes could more 
efficiently achieve recruiting and retention goals.

Balancing Wants, Needs and Affordability: Reexamining Health Care 
Benefits: 

The cost of TRICARE more TRICARE Beneficiaries in Fiscal Year 2005 than 
doubled from FY01 to FY05. 

Costs have grown due to increases in enrollment, benefits, medical 
inflation, and GWOT. 

TRICARE does not fully utilize market incentives to shape utilization. 

TRICARE has low enrollment fees, deductibles, and other beneficiary 
expenses compared to other plans. 

Figure: TRICARE Beneficiaries in Fiscal Year 2005: 

[See PDF for Image] - graphic text: 

Pie chart divided into three pieces. 

14%: TRICARE for Life retirees and dependents (generally age 65 and 
older): 

42%: Active duty personnel and dependents: 

44%: Retirees and dependents (generally under age 65). 

Figure: DOD Estimates of Factors Contributing to Increases in DOD's 
Health Care Costs, 2001-2005: 

5% Other Congressionally-Mandated Benefit Changes: 

49% TRICARE for Life: 

6% GWOT: 

33%: Medical Inflation: 

7%: Increase in Retirees and Dependents Under 65: 

Source: GAO-07-48 (top pie), GAO analysis of DOD data (bottom pie). 

[End of figures] 

Balancing Wants, Needs and Affordability: Funding Weapons Modernization 
and Force Transformation: 

From fiscal years 2001 to 2006, DOD has doubled its planned investments 
in new systems from about $700 billion to nearly $1.4 trillion, but 
this has not produced more stability or better outcomes. 

DOD is also restructuring forces to execute operations in the new 
security environment more effectively. This includes such efforts as 
Army modularity, which has grown in cost from an estimated $28 billion 
in 2004 to $52.5 billion as of April 2006. 

DOD Continues to Confront Pervasive, Longstanding Management Problems 
Related to Its Business Operations: 

Management weaknesses cut across all of DOD's major business areas, and 
its approach to business transformation was designated as high risk in 
2005. 

Examples of longstanding issues include: 

* Supply chain management has been designated high risk since 1990: 

* Weapons System Acquisition was also designated high risk in 1990: 

*Financial Management has been designated as high-risk since 1995: 

Selected Potential DOD Transformation Related Actions: 

Revise the current approach to developing national military strategy 
(e.g., order, integration): 

Take a longer range, and more enterprise-wide approach to program 
planning and budget integration (e.g., life cycles, opportunity costs): 

Employ a more strategic and integrated approach to business information 
system efforts and financial audit initiatives: 

Differentiate between war fighting and business systems development, 
implementation, and maintenance (e.g., resource control, project 
approval): 

Focus on achieving real success in connection with financial management 
efforts (e.g., systems, controls, information, compliance and 
opinions): 

Employ a total force management approach to planning and execution 
(e.g., military, civilian, contractors): 

Get the design and implementation of the NSPS right, including 
modernizing and integrating the DOD, Service, domain, unit, and 
individual performance measurement and reward systems: 

Revise the process for developing and communicating key changes (e.g., 
DOD transformation, NSPS): 

Reduce the number of layers, silos, and footprints: 

Recognize the difference between approving and informing: 

Review and revise current military compensation policies and practices 
(e.g., more targeted and market-based): 

Strengthen emphasis on horizontal and external activities (e.g., 
partnerships): 

Create a Chief Management Officer to drive the business transformation 
process: 

Systemic Defense Acquisition Challenges: 

1. Service budgets are allocated largely according to top line 
historical percentages rather than Defense-wide strategic assessments 
and current and likely resource limitations. 

2. Capabilities and requirements are based primarily on individual 
service wants versus collective Defense needs (i.e. based on current 
and expected future threats) that are both affordable and sustainable 
over time. 

3. Defense consistently over-promises and under-delivers in connection 
with major weapons, information, and other systems (i.e. capabilities, 
costs, quantities, schedule). 

4. Defense often employs a "plug and pray approach" when costs escalate 
(i.e. divide total funding dollars by cost per copy, plug the number 
that can be purchased, then pray that Congress will provide more 
funding to buy more quantities). 

5. Congress sometimes forces the department to buy items (e.g. weapons 
systems) and provide services (e.g. additional health care for non- 
actives) that the department does not want and we cannot afford. 

6. DOD tries to develop high risk technologies after programs start 
instead of setting up funding, organizations, and processes to conduct 
high risk technology development activities in low cost environments 
i.e. technology development is not separated from product development). 
Program decisions to move into design and production are made without 
adequate standards or knowledge. 

7. Program requirements are often set at unrealistic levels, then 
changed frequently as recognition sets in that they cannot be achieved. 
As a result, too much time passes, threats may change, and/or members 
of the user and acquisition communities may simply change their mind. 
The resulting program instability causes cost escalation, schedule 
delays, fewer quantities and reduced contractor accountability. 

8. Contracts, especially service contracts, often do not have 
definitive or realistic requirements at the outset in order to control 
costs and facilitate accountability. 

9. Contracts typically do not accurately reflect the complexity of 
projects nor appropriately allocate risk between the contractors and 
the taxpayers (e.g. cost plus, cancellation charges). 

10. Key program staff rotate too frequently thus promoting myopia and 
reducing accountability (i.e. tours based on time versus key 
milestones). Additionally the revolving door between industry and the 
Department presents potential conflicts of interest. 

11. The acquisition workforce faces serious challenges (e.g. size, 
skills, knowledge, succession planning). 

12. Incentive and award fees are often paid based on contractor 
attitudes and efforts versus positive results (i.e. cost, quality, 
schedule). 

13. Inadequate oversight is being conducted by both the Defense 
Department and the Congress which results in little to no 
accountability for recurring and systemic problems. 

14. Some individual program and funding decisions made within the 
Department and by the Congress serve to undercut sound policies. 

15. Lack of a professional, term-based CIVIO at DOD serves to slow 
progress on defense transformation and reduce the chance of success in 
the acquisitions/contracting and other key business areas. 

Key Leadership Attributes Needed for These Challenging and Changing 
Times: 

Courage: 
Integrity: 
Creativity: 
Partnership: 
Stewardship: 

On the Web: 

Web site: [Hyperlink, http://www.gao.gov/cghome.htm]: 

Contact: 

Paul Anderson, Managing Director, Public Affairs AndersonP1@gao.gov 
(202) 512-4800: 

U.S. Government Accountability Office 441 G Street NW, Room 7149 
Washington, D.C. 20548: 

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