Summary

The Department of Defense (DOD) has many areas where waste occurs. A review of defense-related activities and weapon systems revealed areas that need improvement.

Appropriations required for the World-Wide Military Command and Control System may be reduced if DOD exercises more effective management. There is unnecessary use of transmittal of messages. The federal warning systems are proliferating ineffectively. The automated payroll systems need to be standardized, and a contributory retirement system might be adopted. Too many facilities are being constructed to support reserve forces, and facilities management is inefficient including the management of repair facilities. Millions could be saved annually and productivity increased if military support functions in the Pacific were consolidated. Continued support to allies from stocks procured or held for support of U.S. forces will cause varying degrees of degradation in the readiness of the forces. Contingency planning for emergency logistics support to allies and the logistics management structure needs improvement. Management of personnel and material deployment needs improvement. Testing programs and reserve training should be revised to avoid duplication and wasted time. The Indochinese refugee program was generally successful. The review of the automatic data processing defense-related activities pinpointed areas of inefficient management and recommended standards to guide the programs. Better management is needed in government labs, in controlling costs of North Atlantic Treaty Organization troops, in overseas military banking programs, and in radio spectrum.