The National Security Personnel System: Department of Defense civilian personnel structures and the U.S. legislative process

Abstract

In April 2003, the Bush Administration submitted the Defense Transformation for the 21st Century Act to 108th U.S. Congress for review and enactment. This act proposed broad changes for the Department of Defense to successfully meet new challenges and new threats for the 21st century. This paper will examine the proposals and requested authorities relating to modernizing civilian personnel structures found in the proposed National Security Personnel System. Specifically, this paper will examine the political process used to change Department of Defense policy by examining the legislative outcome of the National Security Personnel System. In November 2003, the legislative treatment of the Bush Administration's proposal was finalized by the passage of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004.