Authorizing Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC)
In its FY 2017 budget proposal, the administration, for the fifth year running, requested authority for another base realignment and closing (BRAC) round.
Topic: Reform
Read the most recent CSIS research on defense reform efforts.
Revising the Strategy Formulation Process and Related Documents
There is widespread dissatisfaction with the existing strategy formulation process and resulting documents because of their perceived lack of prioritization.
Lengthening Tenure of the Chairman and Vice Chairman
Both the House and Senate bills contain provisions to lengthen the term of service for the CJCS from two years to four.
The Wrong Way to Reduce Military Compensation
This year, the Senate and House versions of the National Defense Authorization Act are full of reform initiatives, such as reductions in the number of general officers and the creation of an under secretary of defense for research and engineering.
Adding Operational Authorities for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
The House and the Senate National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) bills have several provisions seeking to strengthen the role of the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Reducing the Number of Guard/Reserve General/Flag Officers by 25 Percent
The loss of reserve three-star positions will likely be seen as a serious loss of influence in the reserve community.
Reforming Security Cooperation
Improving the efficiency, oversight, and professionalism of the security cooperation enterprise will help prove to Americans that these investments are worth the price.
Smart Conditions
This report assesses the challenges to U.S. security assistance, reviews a few case studies, and provides guidelines for using conditionality on security assistance.
Establish Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering
The administration, Senate, and House all agree that ensuring U.S. technological superiority is a major priority and that some change to DoD’s current organization would likely be beneficial in achieving this objective.
Moving Away from Traditional Major Defense Acquisition Program Structure
The acquisition system needs to reevaluate the way major defense acquisition programs are acquired and move throughout the acquisition process.