Summary: GAO reviewed the Department of Defense's (DOD) Joint Deployment System (JDS) to: (1) determine whether the Joint Deployment Agency (JDA) had adequately identified the needs and requirements for an effective deployment coordination system; and (2) evaluate progress in implementing the system.
GAO determined that JDS: (1) has not achieved the capability to allow commanders to quickly develop and select feasible courses of action for deploying troops to a conflict area in a sudden crisis for which no contingency plan exists; and (2) cannot be completed until DOD resolves disagreements on the information to be provided to and by the system, and makes other improvements. GAO believes that increased Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) involvement, including specific guidance and direction, is now critical, because the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) lack authority to: (1) resolve deployment disagreements; and (2) require actions which support JDS development. GAO also believes that guidance and direction is needed to ensure that the capabilities JDS needs are completed in a timely manner.
