**GAO-04-1003**                      Published: Sep 23, 2004. Publicly Released: Sep 23, 2004.                  

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## Highlights

Congress has established a legislative framework that shapes the careers and the management of general and flag officers. The Department of Defense (DOD) has proposed eliminating or amending a number of legislative provisions, such as revising existing statutory retirement limits based on age and years of service, to provide greater flexibility in managing its senior officers in order to retain experienced leaders. GAO is issuing this report in response to a mandate in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2003. GAO's objectives were to (1) develop a profile of general and flag officer careers and (2) assess DOD's justification for its general and flag officer legislative proposals.

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## Topics

Retirement Security

Military personnelMilitary policiesPersonnel managementMilitary officersReporting requirementsMilitary retirementRetireesU.S. NavyU.S. Army