OSD Under Review

Former Air Force Secretary Michael Donley has been selected to lead an upcoming "Organizational Review" of the Office of the Secretary of Defense.

That the Defense Department would tap someone for this specific role was previously known, but it was unknown whom that would be.

Pentagon spokesman Mark Wright said in a statement issued today that Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton Carter had sent out a memo yesterday informing Pentagon leadership of Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel's choice of Donley to run the review effort. Further:

The organizational review, consistent with the findings of the recent Strategic Choices and Management Review (SCMR), will focus on two core areas: (1) achieving a 20 percent reduction in OSD's [Headquarters] budget over the Future Years Defense Program; and (2) reducing the number of direct reports to the Secretary of Defense by further consolidating functions within OSD, as well as eliminating positions.

Secretary Donley will report directly to Deputy Secretary Carter and will submit recommendations for Secretary Hagel's consideration, along with corresponding implementation plans.

Following Secretary Hagel's decisions, action will be assigned to specific offices and individuals to execute the recommendations.

The Director of Administration and Management will monitor overall execution and report monthly to Deputy Secretary Carter.