Over 15 years experience supporting multiple U.S. government agencies, offices, and the military by providing objective analyses of national security and homeland defense issues, particularly those requiring technical expertise and policy evaluation. Federal executive branch entities supported include the Executive Office of the President, the Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, and other interagency national security bodies. Federal legislative branch entities supported include all Members and Committees of the United States Congress—regardless of party affiliation—the Library of Congress, and its agency the Congressional Research Service (CRS).
This CRS In Focus describes Department of Defense (DOD) Pre-Positioned War Reserve Materiel, or P... more This CRS In Focus describes Department of Defense (DOD) Pre-Positioned War Reserve Materiel, or PWRM. This report is intended to be a primer for those who are interested in the fundamental statutes, policies, and worldwide locations for PWRM, including Service-specific stock materiel and intended coverage areas, and considerations for Congress.
*Updated November 26, 2021. w/Lt. Col. Maureen Trujillo, U.S. Air Force
Note: The original version of this report was produced by former CRS Analyst Tyler Hacker. It has been revised to reflect current policy, practice, and law.
On August 15, 2021, the Taliban entered the Afghan capital of Kabul, completing a rapid takeover ... more On August 15, 2021, the Taliban entered the Afghan capital of Kabul, completing a rapid takeover over the country that surprised many Afghans and Americans alike. The Taliban’s advance came as the United States was completing the military withdrawal to which it agreed in the February 2020 U.S.-Taliban accord. The fall of the elected Afghan government, supported by billions of dollars in U.S. assistance over the course of nearly two decades, raises significant questions about past, present, and future U.S. policy for Members of Congress. This report provides material related to select questions associated with U.S. policy in Afghanistan.
Note: Updated September 17, 2021, with multiple authors of the Congressional Research Service (CRS)
This CRS In Focus summarizes the Military Construction Appropriation Act titles of the Military C... more This CRS In Focus summarizes the Military Construction Appropriation Act titles of the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2021 (Division J), included as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (H.R. 133; P.L. 116-260). H.R. 133 was passed into law on December 27, 2020. The report includes major funding highlights for military construction (MILCON) and family housing for fiscal year 2021. It briefly summarizes four key policy issues of the bill: the U.S. southern border barrier; installations and resilience funding; regional deterrence initiatives; and military bases named after Confederate States of America officers. It concludes with a listing of funding for projects not part of the President's Budget Request, but included in the military departments’ FY2021 unfunded priority lists (UPLs).
This CRS In Focus briefly describes the role of Integrated Air Defense Systems (IADS) and provide... more This CRS In Focus briefly describes the role of Integrated Air Defense Systems (IADS) and provides an overview of their functionality and modern-day capabilities of significance to militaries around the world. It further explores the current Department of Defense (DOD) challenges associated with training for, and against, "modern IADS" at U.S. military ranges. It concludes with some considerations for Congress aimed at addressing those DOD-reported challenges associated with range size, access, and capacity.
This CRS Insight discusses the meaning of "military installation resilience" as it relates to the... more This CRS Insight discusses the meaning of "military installation resilience" as it relates to the statutory term defined under 10 U.S.C. §101, and as it relates to the comprehensive approach of the Department of Defense (DOD) to provide resilient military installations. It also explores briefly the word "resilience" in both a general sense, and as a term employed by DOD. It concludes with some options for Congress that may help clarify any misunderstandings surrounding the meaning of the phrase "military installation resilience."
This report examines certain aspects of personal protective equipment (PPE) production and distri... more This report examines certain aspects of personal protective equipment (PPE) production and distribution in the United States in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, the report considers: (1) the availability of PPE supplies, including an assessment of PPE demand related to the COVID-19 pandemic; (2) federal actions and activities undertaken to increase PPE supplies in response to the pandemic, organized by executive agency and program; and (3) other policy options under consideration concerning PPE production and distribution, also organized by executive agency and program.
This report was the result of a multi-authored, interdisciplinary effort to research and analyze both individual federal department/agency, and interagency, PPE production and distribution plans and actions taken during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Each year DOD requests, and Congress authorizes and appropriates, billions of dollars in Operatio... more Each year DOD requests, and Congress authorizes and appropriates, billions of dollars in Operations and Maintenance (O&M) funding to support what DOD calls “readiness.” Additionally, other types of defense appropriations may be used to contribute to producing, sustaining, or otherwise enabling readiness. DOD defines readiness as “the ability of military forces to fight and meet the demands of assigned missions.” What precisely this means is a matter of ongoing discourse among congressional leaders and defense officials alike.
Despite disagreement over specific definitions of readiness, DOD retains statutory authorities and responsibilities to produce and sustain ready military forces, and Congress has the constitutional authority to resource and regulate military forces for the nation. For these reasons, many government officials and members of the defense community agree that the focus of readiness is to generate ready military forces. The process of generating ready forces is complex and differs across a range of various circumstances. Nonetheless, the military’s overall “readiness production process” can be broadly described in terms of producing and sustaining ready military units over time, with the principal focus within these units being the “warfighter” (i.e., the servicemember). This report applies the analogy of a production line to explain the three-part readiness production process.
Related to the readiness production process are the assessment and reporting of military readiness. This report also includes an overview of selected readiness systems, assessments, and sample metrics used to inform military and congressional leaders.
Finally, this report discusses how readiness is funded through annual appropriations and provides two considerations for Congress: (1) the oversight of readiness funding, and (2) the establishment of common readiness metrics across DOD.
This CRS Insight explains a new Department of Defense (DOD) pilot program known as the Defense Co... more This CRS Insight explains a new Department of Defense (DOD) pilot program known as the Defense Community Infrastructure Pilot Program, or DCIP. This program provides grants to selected local and state governments, and not-for-profit organizations, who retain "community infrastructure" (as defined in 10 U.S.C. §2391), with the purpose of supporting military installations and local military communities.
This InFocus describes how Defense Working Capital Funds (DWCFs) operate and provides basic infor... more This InFocus describes how Defense Working Capital Funds (DWCFs) operate and provides basic information on the major DWCFs. It is intended to be a primer for those who are interested in the fundamentals of DWCFs.
*Updated December 2, 2021.
Note: A version of this report was originally produced in 2018 by former CRS Specialist Lynn M. Williams. It was revised in 2019 and 2020 to reflect current policy, practice, and law.
This CRS In Focus discusses the United States' "national stockpiles" which are federally owned an... more This CRS In Focus discusses the United States' "national stockpiles" which are federally owned and managed stocks of products and materials meant to support the nation in times of emergency. Two general types of stockpiles are discussed: (1) public stockpiles and (2) defense stockpiles. This brief report provides a broad overview of the topic and includes current issues for Congress.
This CRS In Focus discusses the Defense Logistics Agency, a key combat support agency within the ... more This CRS In Focus discusses the Defense Logistics Agency, a key combat support agency within the Department of Defense (DOD) Joint Logistics Enterprise (JLEnt). This report is intended to be a primer for those who are interested in a broad overview of the DLA, to include its: major responsibilities, general supply and distribution process, command structure, supply or services provided, and basic funding types. Also included are current considerations for Congress.
This CRS In Focus describes the United States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM), a functional c... more This CRS In Focus describes the United States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM), a functional combatant command that manages transportation for the Department of Defense. This report is intended to be a primer for those who are interested in a broad overview of USTRANSCOM, to include major responsibilities, organizational components, non-organic assets, and considerations for Congress.
This CRS In Focus describes one major component of the Organic Industrial Base (OIB), the DOD "ma... more This CRS In Focus describes one major component of the Organic Industrial Base (OIB), the DOD "maintenance depots." These facilities are principally responsible for providing "depot-level maintenance and repair" for military platforms and equipment. This report is intended to be a primer for those who are interested in a broad overview of the maintenance depots to include responsibilities, locations of major sites, and relevant legislation.
This In Focus summarizes the Military Construction Appropriation Act titles of the Military Const... more This In Focus summarizes the Military Construction Appropriation Act titles of the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2020 (Division F), included as part of the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 (H.R. 1865; P.L. 116-94). H.R. 1865 was passed into law on December 20, 2019. This report includes major funding highlights for military construction (MILCON) and family housing for fiscal year 2020, and related emergency funding for natural disaster relief. It also briefly summarizes two key policy issues of the bill: border barrier funding and military housing/tenant rights.
Congress appropriates several billion dollars annually to support the DOD's worldwide military in... more Congress appropriates several billion dollars annually to support the DOD's worldwide military installations portfolio. Authorization for specific military construction (MILCON) projects―provided through the annual National Defense Authorization Act―enables the Secretary of Defense and the Secretaries of the Army, Air Force, and Navy to plan, program, design, and build the runways, piers, warehouses, barracks, schools, hospitals, child development centers, and other facilities needed to support U.S. military forces at home and abroad. The end-to-end MILCON process by which DOD and Congress act together to build military facilities, beginning with the requirement for a facility, and ending with a completed structure, is lengthy and complex. Summarized, the MILCON process encompasses several steps, to include: • determination of a facility need by the local installation commander and public works organization; • vetting and prioritization of construction projects within the military chain of command and the associated Military Department (MILDEP) or other DOD component; • consolidation and budgeting within the Office of the Secretary of Defense to create the infrastructure construction portion of the Future Years Defense Program (FYDP); • inclusion of the final budget year list of projects in the annual President’s Budget Request to Congress; • review and adjustment of the budget year list by the congressional defense committees; • consideration and passage of the necessary authorization and appropriation acts and their enactment by the President of the United States; and • design and execution of the approved construction projects by the MILDEP’s designated Construction Agent or Design Manager/Construction Manager―Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) for the Navy and Marine Corps, Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) for the Army, and either NAVFAC, USACE, or the Air Force Civil Engineer Center (AFCEC) for the Air Force―and their support contractors.
This InFocus discusses the Department of Defense's (DODs) authority to lease-out (otherwise outle... more This InFocus discusses the Department of Defense's (DODs) authority to lease-out (otherwise outlease) its non-excess property. In particular, the military's use of enhanced use leases (EULs) is described with attention to: what is permitted in statute, how Congress is involved, who manages EULs in the DOD and the Military Departments, and what some of the benefits and risks are. Examples of EUL projects are also provided to show variations in generated benefits.
The Department of Defense (DOD) manages more than 1,700 military installations in worldwide coast... more The Department of Defense (DOD) manages more than 1,700 military installations in worldwide coastal areas that may be affected by sea-level rise. These installations support DOD readiness and operations including naval vessel embarkation and disembarkation, amphibious training, and special operations forces training. Military installations on and near the coast are at risk for high-tide and storm surge flooding amplified by sea-level rise. Congress may choose to assume a role in preparing military installations for sea-level rise based on its authority in fiscal and national security matters.
This InFocus describes the roles of Department of Defense (DOD) and Military Department organizat... more This InFocus describes the roles of Department of Defense (DOD) and Military Department organizations who have responsibility for managing military installations. It is intended to be a primer for those who are interested in the fundamentals of military installations management.
The air domain has become increasingly complex in recent years because of the proliferation of un... more The air domain has become increasingly complex in recent years because of the proliferation of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). In particular, the growing demand for small UAS (sUAS) by personal enthusiasts and commercial applications has caused rapid expansion of commercial UAS markets. With new producers vying for market shares, competition is fostering rapidly decreasing prices, and new innovative technological features intended to garner a comparative advantage. The spread of sUAS for non-government applications brings with it an increased danger of public accidents, and potentially nefarious use by criminals or terrorists.
As the sectors specific agency (SSA) for a majority of critical infrastructure sectors, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is responsible for understanding trends in UAS development, to better protect the nation's infrastructure. To assist DHS with understanding sUAS technology trends, the Office of Infrastructure Protection Sector Outreach and Programs Division asked the Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA) to conduct an assessment of trends in sUAS technology development over the next five years. This paper documents the results of the assessment and provides indications of sUAS technology development on critical infrastructure.
BUILDER is a web-based software application used to assess the condition of buildings. Developed ... more BUILDER is a web-based software application used to assess the condition of buildings. Developed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Engineering Research and Development Center’s (ERDC) Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (CERL), BUILDER helps Federal agencies improve long-term evaluation and maintenance of their building infrastructure. In particular, it provides them with a systematic means of analyzing infrastructure data to improve risk management across building portfolios. This document reviews the BUILDER application for assessing Federal laboratory facilities.
This CRS In Focus describes Department of Defense (DOD) Pre-Positioned War Reserve Materiel, or P... more This CRS In Focus describes Department of Defense (DOD) Pre-Positioned War Reserve Materiel, or PWRM. This report is intended to be a primer for those who are interested in the fundamental statutes, policies, and worldwide locations for PWRM, including Service-specific stock materiel and intended coverage areas, and considerations for Congress.
*Updated November 26, 2021. w/Lt. Col. Maureen Trujillo, U.S. Air Force
Note: The original version of this report was produced by former CRS Analyst Tyler Hacker. It has been revised to reflect current policy, practice, and law.
On August 15, 2021, the Taliban entered the Afghan capital of Kabul, completing a rapid takeover ... more On August 15, 2021, the Taliban entered the Afghan capital of Kabul, completing a rapid takeover over the country that surprised many Afghans and Americans alike. The Taliban’s advance came as the United States was completing the military withdrawal to which it agreed in the February 2020 U.S.-Taliban accord. The fall of the elected Afghan government, supported by billions of dollars in U.S. assistance over the course of nearly two decades, raises significant questions about past, present, and future U.S. policy for Members of Congress. This report provides material related to select questions associated with U.S. policy in Afghanistan.
Note: Updated September 17, 2021, with multiple authors of the Congressional Research Service (CRS)
This CRS In Focus summarizes the Military Construction Appropriation Act titles of the Military C... more This CRS In Focus summarizes the Military Construction Appropriation Act titles of the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2021 (Division J), included as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (H.R. 133; P.L. 116-260). H.R. 133 was passed into law on December 27, 2020. The report includes major funding highlights for military construction (MILCON) and family housing for fiscal year 2021. It briefly summarizes four key policy issues of the bill: the U.S. southern border barrier; installations and resilience funding; regional deterrence initiatives; and military bases named after Confederate States of America officers. It concludes with a listing of funding for projects not part of the President's Budget Request, but included in the military departments’ FY2021 unfunded priority lists (UPLs).
This CRS In Focus briefly describes the role of Integrated Air Defense Systems (IADS) and provide... more This CRS In Focus briefly describes the role of Integrated Air Defense Systems (IADS) and provides an overview of their functionality and modern-day capabilities of significance to militaries around the world. It further explores the current Department of Defense (DOD) challenges associated with training for, and against, "modern IADS" at U.S. military ranges. It concludes with some considerations for Congress aimed at addressing those DOD-reported challenges associated with range size, access, and capacity.
This CRS Insight discusses the meaning of "military installation resilience" as it relates to the... more This CRS Insight discusses the meaning of "military installation resilience" as it relates to the statutory term defined under 10 U.S.C. §101, and as it relates to the comprehensive approach of the Department of Defense (DOD) to provide resilient military installations. It also explores briefly the word "resilience" in both a general sense, and as a term employed by DOD. It concludes with some options for Congress that may help clarify any misunderstandings surrounding the meaning of the phrase "military installation resilience."
This report examines certain aspects of personal protective equipment (PPE) production and distri... more This report examines certain aspects of personal protective equipment (PPE) production and distribution in the United States in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, the report considers: (1) the availability of PPE supplies, including an assessment of PPE demand related to the COVID-19 pandemic; (2) federal actions and activities undertaken to increase PPE supplies in response to the pandemic, organized by executive agency and program; and (3) other policy options under consideration concerning PPE production and distribution, also organized by executive agency and program.
This report was the result of a multi-authored, interdisciplinary effort to research and analyze both individual federal department/agency, and interagency, PPE production and distribution plans and actions taken during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Each year DOD requests, and Congress authorizes and appropriates, billions of dollars in Operatio... more Each year DOD requests, and Congress authorizes and appropriates, billions of dollars in Operations and Maintenance (O&M) funding to support what DOD calls “readiness.” Additionally, other types of defense appropriations may be used to contribute to producing, sustaining, or otherwise enabling readiness. DOD defines readiness as “the ability of military forces to fight and meet the demands of assigned missions.” What precisely this means is a matter of ongoing discourse among congressional leaders and defense officials alike.
Despite disagreement over specific definitions of readiness, DOD retains statutory authorities and responsibilities to produce and sustain ready military forces, and Congress has the constitutional authority to resource and regulate military forces for the nation. For these reasons, many government officials and members of the defense community agree that the focus of readiness is to generate ready military forces. The process of generating ready forces is complex and differs across a range of various circumstances. Nonetheless, the military’s overall “readiness production process” can be broadly described in terms of producing and sustaining ready military units over time, with the principal focus within these units being the “warfighter” (i.e., the servicemember). This report applies the analogy of a production line to explain the three-part readiness production process.
Related to the readiness production process are the assessment and reporting of military readiness. This report also includes an overview of selected readiness systems, assessments, and sample metrics used to inform military and congressional leaders.
Finally, this report discusses how readiness is funded through annual appropriations and provides two considerations for Congress: (1) the oversight of readiness funding, and (2) the establishment of common readiness metrics across DOD.
This CRS Insight explains a new Department of Defense (DOD) pilot program known as the Defense Co... more This CRS Insight explains a new Department of Defense (DOD) pilot program known as the Defense Community Infrastructure Pilot Program, or DCIP. This program provides grants to selected local and state governments, and not-for-profit organizations, who retain "community infrastructure" (as defined in 10 U.S.C. §2391), with the purpose of supporting military installations and local military communities.
This InFocus describes how Defense Working Capital Funds (DWCFs) operate and provides basic infor... more This InFocus describes how Defense Working Capital Funds (DWCFs) operate and provides basic information on the major DWCFs. It is intended to be a primer for those who are interested in the fundamentals of DWCFs.
*Updated December 2, 2021.
Note: A version of this report was originally produced in 2018 by former CRS Specialist Lynn M. Williams. It was revised in 2019 and 2020 to reflect current policy, practice, and law.
This CRS In Focus discusses the United States' "national stockpiles" which are federally owned an... more This CRS In Focus discusses the United States' "national stockpiles" which are federally owned and managed stocks of products and materials meant to support the nation in times of emergency. Two general types of stockpiles are discussed: (1) public stockpiles and (2) defense stockpiles. This brief report provides a broad overview of the topic and includes current issues for Congress.
This CRS In Focus discusses the Defense Logistics Agency, a key combat support agency within the ... more This CRS In Focus discusses the Defense Logistics Agency, a key combat support agency within the Department of Defense (DOD) Joint Logistics Enterprise (JLEnt). This report is intended to be a primer for those who are interested in a broad overview of the DLA, to include its: major responsibilities, general supply and distribution process, command structure, supply or services provided, and basic funding types. Also included are current considerations for Congress.
This CRS In Focus describes the United States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM), a functional c... more This CRS In Focus describes the United States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM), a functional combatant command that manages transportation for the Department of Defense. This report is intended to be a primer for those who are interested in a broad overview of USTRANSCOM, to include major responsibilities, organizational components, non-organic assets, and considerations for Congress.
This CRS In Focus describes one major component of the Organic Industrial Base (OIB), the DOD "ma... more This CRS In Focus describes one major component of the Organic Industrial Base (OIB), the DOD "maintenance depots." These facilities are principally responsible for providing "depot-level maintenance and repair" for military platforms and equipment. This report is intended to be a primer for those who are interested in a broad overview of the maintenance depots to include responsibilities, locations of major sites, and relevant legislation.
This In Focus summarizes the Military Construction Appropriation Act titles of the Military Const... more This In Focus summarizes the Military Construction Appropriation Act titles of the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2020 (Division F), included as part of the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 (H.R. 1865; P.L. 116-94). H.R. 1865 was passed into law on December 20, 2019. This report includes major funding highlights for military construction (MILCON) and family housing for fiscal year 2020, and related emergency funding for natural disaster relief. It also briefly summarizes two key policy issues of the bill: border barrier funding and military housing/tenant rights.
Congress appropriates several billion dollars annually to support the DOD's worldwide military in... more Congress appropriates several billion dollars annually to support the DOD's worldwide military installations portfolio. Authorization for specific military construction (MILCON) projects―provided through the annual National Defense Authorization Act―enables the Secretary of Defense and the Secretaries of the Army, Air Force, and Navy to plan, program, design, and build the runways, piers, warehouses, barracks, schools, hospitals, child development centers, and other facilities needed to support U.S. military forces at home and abroad. The end-to-end MILCON process by which DOD and Congress act together to build military facilities, beginning with the requirement for a facility, and ending with a completed structure, is lengthy and complex. Summarized, the MILCON process encompasses several steps, to include: • determination of a facility need by the local installation commander and public works organization; • vetting and prioritization of construction projects within the military chain of command and the associated Military Department (MILDEP) or other DOD component; • consolidation and budgeting within the Office of the Secretary of Defense to create the infrastructure construction portion of the Future Years Defense Program (FYDP); • inclusion of the final budget year list of projects in the annual President’s Budget Request to Congress; • review and adjustment of the budget year list by the congressional defense committees; • consideration and passage of the necessary authorization and appropriation acts and their enactment by the President of the United States; and • design and execution of the approved construction projects by the MILDEP’s designated Construction Agent or Design Manager/Construction Manager―Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) for the Navy and Marine Corps, Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) for the Army, and either NAVFAC, USACE, or the Air Force Civil Engineer Center (AFCEC) for the Air Force―and their support contractors.
This InFocus discusses the Department of Defense's (DODs) authority to lease-out (otherwise outle... more This InFocus discusses the Department of Defense's (DODs) authority to lease-out (otherwise outlease) its non-excess property. In particular, the military's use of enhanced use leases (EULs) is described with attention to: what is permitted in statute, how Congress is involved, who manages EULs in the DOD and the Military Departments, and what some of the benefits and risks are. Examples of EUL projects are also provided to show variations in generated benefits.
The Department of Defense (DOD) manages more than 1,700 military installations in worldwide coast... more The Department of Defense (DOD) manages more than 1,700 military installations in worldwide coastal areas that may be affected by sea-level rise. These installations support DOD readiness and operations including naval vessel embarkation and disembarkation, amphibious training, and special operations forces training. Military installations on and near the coast are at risk for high-tide and storm surge flooding amplified by sea-level rise. Congress may choose to assume a role in preparing military installations for sea-level rise based on its authority in fiscal and national security matters.
This InFocus describes the roles of Department of Defense (DOD) and Military Department organizat... more This InFocus describes the roles of Department of Defense (DOD) and Military Department organizations who have responsibility for managing military installations. It is intended to be a primer for those who are interested in the fundamentals of military installations management.
The air domain has become increasingly complex in recent years because of the proliferation of un... more The air domain has become increasingly complex in recent years because of the proliferation of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). In particular, the growing demand for small UAS (sUAS) by personal enthusiasts and commercial applications has caused rapid expansion of commercial UAS markets. With new producers vying for market shares, competition is fostering rapidly decreasing prices, and new innovative technological features intended to garner a comparative advantage. The spread of sUAS for non-government applications brings with it an increased danger of public accidents, and potentially nefarious use by criminals or terrorists.
As the sectors specific agency (SSA) for a majority of critical infrastructure sectors, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is responsible for understanding trends in UAS development, to better protect the nation's infrastructure. To assist DHS with understanding sUAS technology trends, the Office of Infrastructure Protection Sector Outreach and Programs Division asked the Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA) to conduct an assessment of trends in sUAS technology development over the next five years. This paper documents the results of the assessment and provides indications of sUAS technology development on critical infrastructure.
BUILDER is a web-based software application used to assess the condition of buildings. Developed ... more BUILDER is a web-based software application used to assess the condition of buildings. Developed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Engineering Research and Development Center’s (ERDC) Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (CERL), BUILDER helps Federal agencies improve long-term evaluation and maintenance of their building infrastructure. In particular, it provides them with a systematic means of analyzing infrastructure data to improve risk management across building portfolios. This document reviews the BUILDER application for assessing Federal laboratory facilities.
*UPDATE: The enactment of Section 3031 of the Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act... more *UPDATE: The enactment of Section 3031 of the Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) now requires the Secretary of Defense to "provide for the installation and maintenance of an appropriate number of carbon monoxide detectors in each unit of military family housing under the jurisdiction of the Secretary" (see 10 U.S.C. §2821). ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that can cause sudden illness or death if a person is exposed to certain quantities. Often referred to as the "silent killer," CO poisoning kills over 430 people annually in the United States (U.S.), and approximately 50,000 people seek emergency medical treatment. Most states have enacted statutes or adopted regulations that require CO detectors or alarms in private dwellings. In these states, owners are required to install at least one battery-operated or hard wired CO detector or alarm in a housing unit. Likewise, the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Military Services have taken CO risk reduction measures for housing they own and operate. However, DOD estimates about 63% of military families live off-post in private sector housing, or otherwise not on a military installation in DOD-maintained property. This military population is subject to the CO safety measures enacted by state or local jurisdictions, which vary from robust to nonexistent. In addition, another 24% of military families live in military privatized housing (i.e., housing built, maintained, and operated by private developers, though leased from DOD through a ground lease). Military privatized housing can be off-post or on a military installation, but in either case, CO detector or alarm requirements are generally determined by state and local laws, not DOD, unless explicitly written into privatized housing lease agreements.
This study focuses on psychological health (PH) care for active duty service members (including a... more This study focuses on psychological health (PH) care for active duty service members (including activated members of the Reserve Components). Particular attention is paid to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) for three reasons: first, it is frequently related to combat stress, and, thus, brings into focus interrelationships between line and medical responsibilities for the effectiveness and treatment of service members; second, because of its historical antecedents (shell shock, battle fatigue, and combat exhaustion) and the long history of attempts to deal with them; and third, because of the very high costs it imposes in disability payments to those whom treatment has failed to cure. This study brief was prepared for the Office of the Director, Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation (CAPE).
This CRS In Focus summarizes the Military Construction Appropriation Act titles of the Military C... more This CRS In Focus summarizes the Military Construction Appropriation Act titles of the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2021 (Division J), included as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (H.R. 133; P.L. 116-260). H.R. 133 was passed into law on December 27, 2020. The report includes major funding highlights for military construction (MILCON) and family housing for fiscal year 2021. It briefly summarizes four key policy issues of the bill: the U.S. southern border barrier; installations and resilience funding; regional deterrence initiatives; and military bases named after Confederate States of America officers. It concludes with a listing of funding for projects not part of the President's Budget Request, but included in the military departments’ FY2021 unfunded priority lists (UPLs).
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service, Dec 9, 2020
This CRS In Focus describes pre-positioned materiel, one leg of DOD's strategic mobility ... more This CRS In Focus describes pre-positioned materiel, one leg of DOD's strategic mobility triad. The U.S. military pre-positions materiel worldwide at or near points of planned use in order to reduce military response times and ensure timely support of operations in their initial phases. This report is intended to be a primer for those who are interested in a broad overview of DOD pre-positioned materiel to include responsibilities, funding, major pre-positioning programs, and relevant legislation.
This CRS In Focus discusses the United States' "national stockpiles" wh... more This CRS In Focus discusses the United States' "national stockpiles" which are federally owned and managed stocks of products and materials meant to support the nation in times of emergency. Two general types of stockpiles are discussed: (1) public stockpiles and (2) defense stockpiles. This brief report provides a broad overview of the topic and includes current issues for Congress.
This In Focus summarizes the Military Construction Appropriation Act titles of the Military Const... more This In Focus summarizes the Military Construction Appropriation Act titles of the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2020 (Division F), included as part of the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 (H.R. 1865; P.L. 116-94). H.R. 1865 was passed into law on December 20, 2019. This report includes major funding highlights for military construction (MILCON) and family housing for fiscal year 2020, and related emergency funding for natural disaster relief. It also briefly summarizes two key policy issues of the bill: border barrier funding and military housing/tenant rights.
This CRS Insight discusses the meaning of "military installation resilience" as... more This CRS Insight discusses the meaning of "military installation resilience" as it relates to the statutory term defined under 10 U.S.C. §101, and as it relates to the comprehensive approach of the Department of Defense (DOD) to provide resilient military installations. It also explores briefly the word "resilience" in both a general sense, and as a term employed by DOD. It concludes with some options for Congress that may help clarify any misunderstandings surrounding the meaning of the phrase "military installation resilience."
: This paper supplements the 2012 IDA Document D-4666 Operational Effectiveness Analysis (OEA), w... more : This paper supplements the 2012 IDA Document D-4666 Operational Effectiveness Analysis (OEA), which focused on the development of a methodology for estimating losses to unit operational effectiveness resulting directly from exposure to a CBRN event. This paper concentrates on a methodology for estimating reductions to a military units operational effectiveness due to the collateral effects of a CBRN event, known as operational effectiveness loss multipliers (OELMs). For the OELM methodology, collateral effects are defined as consequences or impacts experienced in advance of, in concert with, subordinate to, or subsequent to the direct casualties that result from a CBRN event and reduce the operational effectiveness of individuals or units. OELMs are defined as factors and requirements (including actions and activities in preparation or response to a CBRN event) that render either individuals or units ineffective or partially effective because of the collateral effects on personnel...
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*Updated November 26, 2021. w/Lt. Col. Maureen Trujillo, U.S. Air Force
Note: The original version of this report was produced by former CRS Analyst Tyler Hacker. It has been revised to reflect current policy, practice, and law.
Note: Updated September 17, 2021, with multiple authors of the Congressional Research Service (CRS)
This report was the result of a multi-authored, interdisciplinary effort to research and analyze both individual federal department/agency, and interagency, PPE production and distribution plans and actions taken during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Despite disagreement over specific definitions of readiness, DOD retains statutory authorities and responsibilities to produce and sustain ready military forces, and Congress has the constitutional authority to resource and regulate military forces for the nation. For these reasons, many government officials and members of the defense community agree that the focus of readiness is to generate ready military forces. The process of generating ready forces is complex and differs across a range of various circumstances. Nonetheless, the military’s overall “readiness production process” can be broadly described in terms of producing and sustaining ready military units over time, with the principal focus within these units being the “warfighter” (i.e., the servicemember). This report applies the analogy of a production line to explain the three-part readiness production process.
Related to the readiness production process are the assessment and reporting of military readiness. This report also includes an overview of selected readiness systems, assessments, and sample metrics used to inform military and congressional leaders.
Finally, this report discusses how readiness is funded through annual appropriations and provides two considerations for Congress: (1) the oversight of readiness funding, and (2) the establishment of common readiness metrics across DOD.
*Updated December 2, 2021.
Note: A version of this report was originally produced in 2018 by former CRS Specialist Lynn M. Williams. It was revised in 2019 and 2020 to reflect current policy, practice, and law.
*Updated December 15, 2020.
*Updated December 23, 2020.
*Updated December 9, 2020.
• determination of a facility need by the local installation commander and public works organization;
• vetting and prioritization of construction projects within the military chain of command and the associated Military Department (MILDEP) or other DOD component;
• consolidation and budgeting within the Office of the Secretary of Defense to create the infrastructure construction portion of the Future Years Defense Program (FYDP);
• inclusion of the final budget year list of projects in the annual President’s Budget Request to Congress;
• review and adjustment of the budget year list by the congressional defense committees;
• consideration and passage of the necessary authorization and appropriation acts and their enactment by the President of the United States; and
• design and execution of the approved construction projects by the MILDEP’s designated Construction Agent or Design Manager/Construction Manager―Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) for the Navy and Marine Corps, Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) for the Army, and either NAVFAC, USACE, or the Air Force Civil Engineer Center (AFCEC) for the Air Force―and their support contractors.
*Updated December 3, 2021.
As the sectors specific agency (SSA) for a majority of critical infrastructure sectors, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is responsible for understanding trends in UAS development, to better protect the nation's infrastructure. To assist DHS with understanding sUAS technology trends, the Office of Infrastructure Protection Sector Outreach and Programs Division asked the Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA) to conduct an assessment of trends in sUAS technology development over the next five years. This paper documents the results of the assessment and provides indications of sUAS technology development on critical infrastructure.
*Updated November 26, 2021. w/Lt. Col. Maureen Trujillo, U.S. Air Force
Note: The original version of this report was produced by former CRS Analyst Tyler Hacker. It has been revised to reflect current policy, practice, and law.
Note: Updated September 17, 2021, with multiple authors of the Congressional Research Service (CRS)
This report was the result of a multi-authored, interdisciplinary effort to research and analyze both individual federal department/agency, and interagency, PPE production and distribution plans and actions taken during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Despite disagreement over specific definitions of readiness, DOD retains statutory authorities and responsibilities to produce and sustain ready military forces, and Congress has the constitutional authority to resource and regulate military forces for the nation. For these reasons, many government officials and members of the defense community agree that the focus of readiness is to generate ready military forces. The process of generating ready forces is complex and differs across a range of various circumstances. Nonetheless, the military’s overall “readiness production process” can be broadly described in terms of producing and sustaining ready military units over time, with the principal focus within these units being the “warfighter” (i.e., the servicemember). This report applies the analogy of a production line to explain the three-part readiness production process.
Related to the readiness production process are the assessment and reporting of military readiness. This report also includes an overview of selected readiness systems, assessments, and sample metrics used to inform military and congressional leaders.
Finally, this report discusses how readiness is funded through annual appropriations and provides two considerations for Congress: (1) the oversight of readiness funding, and (2) the establishment of common readiness metrics across DOD.
*Updated December 2, 2021.
Note: A version of this report was originally produced in 2018 by former CRS Specialist Lynn M. Williams. It was revised in 2019 and 2020 to reflect current policy, practice, and law.
*Updated December 15, 2020.
*Updated December 23, 2020.
*Updated December 9, 2020.
• determination of a facility need by the local installation commander and public works organization;
• vetting and prioritization of construction projects within the military chain of command and the associated Military Department (MILDEP) or other DOD component;
• consolidation and budgeting within the Office of the Secretary of Defense to create the infrastructure construction portion of the Future Years Defense Program (FYDP);
• inclusion of the final budget year list of projects in the annual President’s Budget Request to Congress;
• review and adjustment of the budget year list by the congressional defense committees;
• consideration and passage of the necessary authorization and appropriation acts and their enactment by the President of the United States; and
• design and execution of the approved construction projects by the MILDEP’s designated Construction Agent or Design Manager/Construction Manager―Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) for the Navy and Marine Corps, Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) for the Army, and either NAVFAC, USACE, or the Air Force Civil Engineer Center (AFCEC) for the Air Force―and their support contractors.
*Updated December 3, 2021.
As the sectors specific agency (SSA) for a majority of critical infrastructure sectors, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is responsible for understanding trends in UAS development, to better protect the nation's infrastructure. To assist DHS with understanding sUAS technology trends, the Office of Infrastructure Protection Sector Outreach and Programs Division asked the Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA) to conduct an assessment of trends in sUAS technology development over the next five years. This paper documents the results of the assessment and provides indications of sUAS technology development on critical infrastructure.
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Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that can cause sudden illness or death if a person is exposed to certain quantities. Often referred to as the "silent killer," CO poisoning kills over 430 people annually in the United States (U.S.), and approximately 50,000 people seek emergency medical treatment. Most states have enacted statutes or adopted regulations that require CO detectors or alarms in private dwellings. In these states, owners are required to install at least one battery-operated or hard wired CO detector or alarm in a housing unit. Likewise, the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Military Services have taken CO risk reduction measures for housing they own and operate. However, DOD estimates about 63% of military families live off-post in private sector housing, or otherwise not on a military installation in DOD-maintained property. This military population is subject to the CO safety measures enacted by state or local jurisdictions, which vary from robust to nonexistent. In addition, another 24% of military families live in military privatized housing (i.e., housing built, maintained, and operated by private developers, though leased from DOD through a ground lease). Military privatized housing can be off-post or on a military installation, but in either case, CO detector or alarm requirements are generally determined by state and local laws, not DOD, unless explicitly written into privatized housing lease agreements.
This study brief was prepared for the Office of the Director, Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation (CAPE).