Recent National Defense Authorization Acts enacted by Congress have created investigative commissions on issues ranging from the defense budgeting process, the war in Afghanistan to the future of the U.S. Navy.
In fact, in the period from 1989 to 2017, Congress has authorized over 170 congressional commissions “to provide independent advice; to make recommendations for changes in public policy; to study or investigate a particular problem, issue, or event; or to commemorate an individual, group, or event,” according to a Congressional Research Service assessment. Of the commission established between 1989 and 2016, only a small portion of the commissions – 7 percent – were investigative in nature.
The Afghanistan and Navy commissions fall into the investigative category. And while not tied to a specific, single event, the desire to establish these commissions comes from a sense of unease in the outcomes of both the Afghan war and attempts to strengthen the U.S. Navy over the past decade.
But while both of these commissions are populated by capable commissioners, neither is headed by a senior retired military officer or a senior civilian who has the credentials to promote meaningful recommendations and persuade government bureaucracies to act. A senior commission leader is essential to spur change.
Center for Maritime Strategy
Dr. Steven Wills
External Source: Defense Opinion
Recent National Defense Authorization Acts enacted by Congress have created investigative commissions on issues ranging from the defense budgeting process, the war in Afghanistan to the future of the U.S. Navy.
In fact, in the period from 1989 to 2017, Congress has authorized over 170 congressional commissions “to provide independent advice; to make recommendations for changes in public policy; to study or investigate a particular problem, issue, or event; or to commemorate an individual, group, or event,” according to a Congressional Research Service assessment. Of the commission established between 1989 and 2016, only a small portion of the commissions – 7 percent – were investigative in nature.
The Afghanistan and Navy commissions fall into the investigative category. And while not tied to a specific, single event, the desire to establish these commissions comes from a sense of unease in the outcomes of both the Afghan war and attempts to strengthen the U.S. Navy over the past decade.
But while both of these commissions are populated by capable commissioners, neither is headed by a senior retired military officer or a senior civilian who has the credentials to promote meaningful recommendations and persuade government bureaucracies to act. A senior commission leader is essential to spur change.
The full article is available at Defense Opinion
Dr. Steven Wills, Navalist