Defense Acquisition Reform: Rethinking the Packard Commission Approach after 30 years

The National Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 negotiated by the Armed Services Committees contains significant proposals to change DoD's approach to managing acquisition. Notably, proposals are on the table that would revisit the acquisition chain of command recommended by the Packard Commission, changing the role of the service chiefs and reducing the role of the Secretary of Defense on major defense acquisition programs. 30 years after the Packard Commission made its recommendations, has this approach produced the intended outcomes and provided the proper incentives?  What is the right balance of power among these actors, all of whom have a clear stake in the success of the defense acquisition system, and how can they best work together toward this common goal?

This event discussed the core issues in this debate, featuring a diverse panel of experienced defense acquisition experts who have worked these issues directly. The expert panel addressed some of the implications of the proposed changes and how they do or do not clarify roles and responsibilities in the acquisition system

A Panel Discussion Featuring:

The Honorable Alan Estevez
Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics

Dr. Jacques Gansler
Former Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics) and 
Director, Center for Public Policy & Private Enterprise, School of Public Policy, University of Maryland

General John P. Jumper (USAF, Ret.)
17th Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force, and 
President, John. P. Jumper & Associates 

Moderated by:

Andrew Hunter
Director, Defense-Industrial Initiatives Group and 
Senior Fellow, International Security Program