Priority Open Recommendations: Department of Defense
| Report Type |
Reports and Testimonies |
| Report Date |
Aug. 9, 2021 |
| Release Date |
Aug. 9, 2021 |
| Report No. |
GAO-21-522PR |
Summary:
What GAO Found
In May 2020, GAO identified 81 priority open recommendations for the Department of Defense (DOD). Since then, DOD has implemented 21 of those recommendations, leading to improvements in readiness rebuilding efforts, cybersecurity, and the Navy's force structure, among other areas. Additionally, GAO closed four priority recommendations related to DOD enterprise-wide business reform as unimplemented because the recommendations are no longer relevant. GAO also removed one priority recommendation related to acquisition oversight because it no longer warranted priority attention due to actions taken by the military departments. Thus, reducing the number of remaining priority open recommendations to 55.
In July 2021, GAO identified 26 additional priority recommendations for DOD, bringing the total number to 81. These recommendations involve the following areas:
acquisitions and contract management;
rebuilding readiness and force structure;
financial management;
cybersecurity and the information environment;
health care;
driving enterprise-wide business reform;
preventing sexual harassment; and
strengthening diversity, equity and inclusion within DOD.
DOD's continued attention to these issues could lead to further improvements in the department's operations.
Why GAO Did This Study
Priority open recommendations are GAO recommendations that warrant priority attention from heads of key departments or agencies because implementation may significantly improve government operations, for example, by realizing large dollar savings; eliminating mismanagement, fraud, and abuse; or making progress toward addressing a high-risk or fragmentation, overlap, or duplication issue. Since 2015, GAO has sent letters to selected agencies to highlight the importance of implementing such recommendations.
For more information, contact Elizabeth Field at (202) 512-2775 or fielde1@gao.gov.
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