Human Capital: Complete Information and More Analyses Needed to Enhance DOD's Civilian Senior Leader Strategic Workforce Plan
Abstract
The ability of the Department of Defense (DOD) to achieve its mission and carry out its responsibilities depends in large part on whether it can sustain a civilian senior leader workforce that possesses necessary skills and competencies. Managing civilian senior leaders effectively is imperative, especially in light of DOD's plans to reduce at least 150 civilian senior leader positions, the departments current cap on civilian personnel numbers, and the existing pay freeze. Further, as DOD faces fiscal constraints, implements its efficiency initiatives, and prepares for an anticipated drawdown in Afghanistan, the department is faced with the complex task of re-shaping its workforce to meet future needs. This includes assessing the requirements for approximately 2,900 civilian senior leaders who help manage DOD's overall civilian workforce of more than 780,000 personnel. In managing these senior leaders, the department must ensure that they are sufficient in number and properly prepared to achieve DOD's mission. One particular challenge, noted in DOD's 2010-2018 strategic workforce plan, is that more than 60 percent of DOD's civilian senior leader workforce will be eligible to retire by 2015.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 19, 2012
- Accession Number
- AD1151541
Entities
People
- Brenda S. Farrell
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office