The Cheney-Powell Congressional Reform Act: Completing the Defense Reform Agenda
Abstract
On 1 October 1986 the Goldwater-Nichols Department of Defense Reorganization Act was signed into law by President Ronald Reagan. The principal purpose of the law was to improve management of defense by imposing greater jointness on military advice, operations, and in the allocation of defense resources. Recently, President George Bush announced a new military strategy which envisions a twenty-five percent reduction of active forces. This study examines changes since Goldwater Nichols to determine whether or not (in light of declining resources and the restructing of forces) the current national system for planning, programming, the budgeting can produce optimum joint forces to support the new military strategy. It suggests that, while DOD has made significant improvements in its management of defense, Congress has not. It contends that without change in the Congress, any improvements in DOD will mean little if the Congress cannot achieve a more rational and efficient approach to its role in defense management. It offers recommended changes for the Congress. Finally, the study contends there is a unique window of opportunity to effect this reform, which the Congress and Administration should examine and implement.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 05, 1991
- Accession Number
- ADA234013
Entities
People
- Michael K. Mehaffey
Organizations
- United States Army War College