Business Leaders to Review DoD Personnel System

American Forces Press Service

, May 15, 2009 - The Defense Department has turned to a group of senior executive business leaders to review its newest system of hiring and compensation. Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III, along with Office of Personnel Management Director John Berry, has asked the Defense Business Board to form a task group to review the National Security Personnel System.

The board is made up of about 20 private sector executives with a range of business management experience. It is tasked with providing the Defense Department independent advice and recommendations.

"The task group should deliver recommendations aimed at helping the department determine if the underlying design principles and methodology for implementation are reflected in the program objectives, whether the program objectives are being met, and whether NSPS is operating in a fair, transparent, and effective manner," Lynn wrote in his instructions to the board.

The task group will seek public input, but venues have not been announced. The group is slated to present its findings and draft recommendations to the board during a public meeting later this summer, officials announced.

The board is to provide its final report to the Defense Department shortly thereafter.

Defense Department and OPM officials on March 16 announced a review of the personnel system, including policies, regulations, and practices.

The department has put a hold on any further conversions of organizations into NSPS until at least October, pending the outcome of the review.

NSPS implementation began in 2006, changing the way DoD civilians are hired, compensated, promoted, and rewarded. The system covers about 205,000 DoD employees.