GAO Comptroller David Walker said at the hearing there was
little evidence of improvement in DoD business operations
to date, and reiterated calls for the establishment of a
full-time chief management officer, saying it is a “‘good
government’ matter that should be addressed in a
professional and nonpartisan manner.”
Walker said a CMO should be a term appointment for seven
years, subject to a performance contract and report directly
to the secretary.
Defense officials have rejected the notion in the past,
arguing that no single organization or formal transformation
team can adequately replace the “existing informal
mechanisms” involving “key organizations” currently relied
on. DoD also says the secretary is able to direct the
transformation efforts of each organization using annual
assessments and analysis prepared for him.
Still, the Governmental Affairs Committee, GAO and others
have created momentum for the establishment of a CMO at a
time when wars in Iraq and Afghanistan demand the full
attention of senior DoD staff and as the department
continues to be criticized for internal controls and the
ability to transform itself in ways approved of by
government auditors and elected representatives.
