The Goldwater-Nichols Department of Defense Reorganization Act of 1986: An Analysis of Air Force Implementation of Title IV and its Impact on the Air Force Officer Corps

Abstract

In 1986, Congress enacted the Department of Defense Reorganization Act directing how Services manage joint officers, in an effort to improve the quality of joint officers and operations. This research paper analyzes AF legislative compliance in: promotions, assignments, education and joint specialty officer (JSO) designations for field grade officers. The research analyzes the initial law and subsequent amendments to establish a compliance baseline and examines AF, Joint Staff and Secretary of Defense records to assess conformity. After the compliance review, the research examines programs, policies and laws affecting compliance, followed by a study of the integration of Title IV concepts in the OPD Program. There were two non-compliance areas-promotions and JSO guidelines. First despite a multitude of initiatives involving promotion board processes and assignments, AF failed 41 of 46 promotion categories, although significant improvement was noted. Second, there were no established JSO career guidelines and there were negative perceptions regarding joint duty in OPD. To improve compliance, this paper recommends better integration of joint concepts in OPD; the establishment of JSO guidelines; and an aggressive media effort to enhance perceptions of joint. Further, it advocates the inclusion of OPD counseling during mandatory performance feedback and the implementation of existing legislation affecting JPMIS outplacement. Last, it recommends revitalizing `cross-flow' assignments between Air and Joint Staffs, and establishing a comprehensive data-base to enable more extensive analysis of joint management initiatives. modifications or `enhancements,' AF should be in full compliance.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 01, 1995
Accession Number
ADA328040

Entities

People

  • Dale A. Bourque
  • Harold K. James
  • Julie K. Stanley
  • Kathleen M. Grabowski
  • Kevin G. Boggs

Organizations

  • Air Command and Staff College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Business Administration
  • Education
  • Electronic Mail
  • Employment
  • Law
  • Management Personnel
  • Military Personnel
  • Military Science
  • National Security
  • Officer Personnel
  • Organizational Structure
  • Personnel Management
  • Students
  • United States Central Command
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Defense Financial Management and Audit.
  • Government and Public Administration Law.
  • Joint Military Operations and Doctrine.