Meanwhile, the General Accounting Office has said that DoD still has considerable work ahead in reforming its acquisition work force and preparing for the potential loss to retirement of up to half of that work force by 2005. GAO’s report (GAO-02-630) noted that earlier this year DoD reported on its plans to carry out a series of reforms including alternative personnel practices, revisions in employee training and other “reshaping” initiatives. GAO says DoD recognizes that “it will take a considerable amount of time just to lay a good foundation for strategic planning, with many of the initiatives likely not matured until 2006 or beyond.