Defense Management. High-Level Leadership Commitment and Actions are Needed to Address Corrosion Issues

Abstract : Corrosion can have a deleterious effect on military equipment and infrastructure in terms of cost, readiness, and safety. Recognizing this concern, the Bob Stump National Defense Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 2003 required the Department of Defense (DOD) to designate an official or organization to oversee and coordinate efforts to prevent and mitigate corrosion. Recently, the National Defense Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 2006 directed GAO to examine the effectiveness of DOD's corrosion prevention and mitigation programs. In addition, GAO evaluated the extent to which DOD has incorporated corrosion prevention planning in acquiring weapon systems. GAO reviewed strategy documents, reviewed corrosion prevention planning for 51 recent major weapon system acquisitions, and interviewed DOD and military service officials. GAO is recommending that the Secretary of Defense and the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics ensure that actions designed to effectively implement DOD's corrosion prevention strategy are taken. In commenting on a draft of this report, DOD partially concurred with GAO's four recommendations. DOD's actions are generally responsive to the intent of GAO's recommendations.