Combating Terrorism: Actions Needed to Guide Services' Antiterrorism Efforts at Installations

• NCJ Number: 197830
• Author(s): Ray Decker; Ray Repasky
• Date Published: November 2002
• Length: 32 pages
• Corporate Author: US Government Accountability Office
• Sale Source: US Government Accountability Office; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Format: Document (Online)
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Downloaded on November 1, 2002.

Annotation

This report examines the extent to which the U.S. military services and selected commands use a results-oriented management framework and establish an effective risk management approach in their antiterrorism efforts.

Abstract

Since the recent terrorist attacks in 2001, the U.S. military installations increased their antiterrorism measures to remain at a higher than normal level. Results from a previous report by the United States General Accounting Office (GAO) suggested the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) strengthen the management of the antiterrorism program and establish a management framework containing a strategic plan and a performance plan. The DOD initiated steps to develop a results-oriented management approach and a comprehensive risk management process to supplement and support this approach. This report specifically focuses on the extent to which the DOD uses the results-oriented management framework to guide their antiterrorism efforts at domestic installations and have established an effective risk management approach to develop specific antiterrorism requirements. The report also examines how DOD reports combating terrorism funding and the funding trends. The GAO obtained and reviewed documents, and examined operations of the four services; headquarters, examined the operations of eight major service commands and reserve components, and interviewed mindful officials. Results indicate that for the most part the service headquarters and commands reviewed did not use a comprehensive results-oriented management framework to guide their antiterrorism efforts. The Army Forces Command’s management framework appeared to be the most complete. Because DOD does not require it, a comprehensive results-oriented management framework for antiterrorism efforts is not consistently used across all services and commands. A recommendation was made for DOD to accelerate its efforts to develop a Department-wide strategy, set a target date for its completion, and work with the military services to initiate steps to adopt a results-based management framework for their antiterrorism efforts consistent with the Department-wide approach.