Reviews and Reports


The Department of Defense has undertaken four distinct, yet closely-coordinated, major defense reviews, each of which focuses on a unique dimension of our national security priorities: the Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR), Ballistic Missile Defense Review (BMDR), Nuclear Posture Review (NPR), and Space Posture Review (SPR). Click on report icon to access the reports.

Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR)

The Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR is a legislatively-mandated review of the Department of Defense strategy and priorities. If you’re interested in learning more about the Defense Department’s Quadrennial Defense Review process you can do so by accessing the QDR fact sheet on Defenselink, the Pentagon’s public webpage. The QDR is performed every four years and its purpose is “to assess the threats and capabilities the nation faces, and then integrate strategies, resources, forces, and capabilities necessary to prevent conflict or conclude it on terms that are favorable to the nation

Nuclear Posture Review

The Nuclear Posture Review is a legislatively-mandated review that establishes U.S. nuclear policy, strategy, capabilities and force posture for the next five to ten years.

Ballistic Missile Defense Review (BMDR)

The Ballistic Missile Defense Review (BMDR) is a review conducted pursuant to guidance from the President and the Secretary of Defense, while also addressing the legislative requirement to assess U.S. ballistic missile defense policy and strategy. The BMDR will evaluate the threats posed by ballistic missiles and develop a missile defense posture to address current and future challenges.

Space Posture Review (SPR)

The Space Posture Review (SPR) is a legislatively-mandated review of U.S. national security space policy and objectives, conducted jointly by the Secretary of Defense and the Director of National Intelligence. The Department of Defense and Intelligence Community have concluded the SPR by releasing a National Security Space Strategy

Government Accountability Office (GAO) Reports

The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) is an independent, nonpartisan agency that works for Congress. Often called the “congressional watchdog,” GAO investigates how the federal government spends taxpayer dollars and records its findings in “reports”, often called “blue books,” and testimony before Congress.

All unclassified DoD GAO reports are available to the public. However, congressional requesters of GAO work are allowed to restrict reports for up to 30 days before public release. This restriction can sometimes mean that the public release date of the report is up to 30 days after the publication date. That is why you can see a report listed on the site released today that has a publication date well before today.

Department of Defense Plan for Retrospective Analysis of Existing Rules

Executive Order 13563 recognizes the importance of maintaining a consistent culture of retrospective review and analysis throughout the executive branch. Before a rule has been tested, it is difficult to be certain of its consequences, including its costs and benefits. The Department of Defense’s plan is designed to create a defined method and schedule for identifying certain significant rules that are obsolete, unnecessary, unjustified, excessively burdensome, or counterproductive. Its review processes are intended to facilitate the identification of rules that warrant repeal or modification, or strengthening, complementing, or modernizing rules where necessary or appropriate.



Resources

 

The reviews and reports list on the left are but a small fraction of what is available at DoD. To explore further, click on the links below:

http://www.dod.mil/pubs/