**GAO-11-136**                      Published: Nov 04, 2010. Publicly Released: Nov 04, 2010.                  

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## Highlights

The Department of Defense (DOD) relies heavily on its civilian workforce to perform duties usually performed by military personnel--including combat support functions such as logistics. Civilian senior leaders--some of whom occupy positions that might be cut during DOD's latest attempts to reduce overhead costs--are among those who manage DOD's civilians. In 2007, Congress mandated that DOD assess requirements for its civilian senior leader workforce in light of recent trends. DOD reported its recent reply to this requirement in its 2009 update to the Civilian Human Capital Strategic Plan, which used information from a 2008 baseline review to validate its senior leader requirements. GAO was asked to review DOD's approach for (1) assessing its civilian senior leader workforce requirements, (2) identifying and communicating the need for additional senior leaders, and (3) developing and managing this workforce. GAO reviewed submissions for DOD's baseline review and requests for additional senior leaders, including DOD's intelligence agencies. GAO also interviewed DOD and Office of Personnel Management officials.

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Brenda S. Farrell
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## Topics

National Defense

Civilian employeesDocumentationHuman capitalHuman capital managementInternal controlsMilitary intelligenceMilitary personnelPerformance measuresPersonnel recruitingRequirements definitionStrategic planningEducation programsSenior Executive Service