Defense Programs and Spending: Need for Reforms

GAO discussed the need for reforms in the Department of Defense's (DOD) programs and spending. GAO noted that: (1) during the past 10 years, the number of uniformed servicemembers has declined by 28 percent and the defense budget has been reduced by 35 percent; (2) in changing to a downsized structure and budget, DOD has not fully analyzed certain assumptions underlying its new force structure; (3) DOD needs to further define the roles and functions of the military services and resolving the disparity between programs and funding; (4) DOD wastes billions of dollars annually due to inefficiencies in its daily operations and its haste in reforming systems and reducing infrastructure and costs; and (5) specific options for reducing defense spending include reconsidering the need to acquire certain weapons systems, improving inventory and financial management, and using commercial practices for supplying defense needs.