Force Structure: Improved Cost Information and Analysis Needed to Guide Overseas Military Posture Decisions

Abstract : Why GAO Did This Study: In January 2012, DOD issued new strategic guidance on defense budget priorities, indicating that it must rebalance its overseas force posture including the forward stationing of Navy ships in Spain for ballistic missile defense and the reduction of U.S. Army forces in Europe in the face of deficit reduction. Similarly, DOD reported in its 2011 Global Defense Posture Report to Congress that savings associated with permanently stationing forces in the United States rather than overseas are often offset by such factors as increased rotational costs. Based on direction from the Senate Armed Services Committee, GAO evaluated the extent to which DOD has (1) conducted analysis to support recent overseas posture decisions and (2) developed a process for making posture decisions that align with strategy and consider costs. GAO assessed two recent posture initiatives, DOD plans and guidance related to posture, and theater posture plans from each combatant command.