The programming and budgeting processes of the United States Marine Corps : an investigation into their efficiency

Abstract

The current Planning, Programming and Budgeting System (PPBS) consists of complex, overlapping phases that require a great deal of time and manpower to complete. More efficient PPBS processes could possibly reduce the time and manpower needed to complete these phases. The purpose of this thesis was to determine if the programming and budgeting processes of the United States Marine Corps could be more efficient. This issue was addressed in three steps. First the programming and budgeting processes were reviewed in detailed. Second, the legal requirements for each process were determined. Finally, each process was analyzed for duplication, value added, and timing of the elements of the process. The research resulted in two recommendations that could possibly increase the efficiency of the Marine Corps Programming Process. One, the Commandant's Initial Programming Guidance should be issued each year to provide the intent of the senior leader of the Marine Corps for program development. Second, the Marine Corps should consider combining the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps Committee brief with the brief to the Commandant to save time and effort. The research revealed that the requirement for the President to submit his budget to Congress by the first Monday in February drives the budgeting process. This requirement severely inhibits the ability to change the current process