Defense Department's Test Enterprise Sparks Concern Among Critics Over Potential Abbreviation of 'Impartial Intermediary' Role
Loosening the Reins: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's controversial moves to streamline DOT&E
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's ambitious plan to slash the staff and budget of the Director of Operational Test and Evaluation (DOT&E) could level up our war-fighting capabilities, but at the cost of losing an essential independent check on the Pentagon, former high-ranking defense officials caution.
Hegseth's ambitious overhaul in his May 28 order claimed the DOT&E performs redundant, non-essential functions that hinder our swift, efficient deployment of top-notch weapons to the frontlines. After conducting a comprehensive internal review, he maintained that DOT&E hinders our agility and resource efficiency, according to the Public's budget tracker, USAspending.gov.
Hegseth's drastic measures call for cutting the DOT&E team almost in half, from approximately 94 personnel to 46, leaving behind 30 civilians, 15 uniformed personnel, and a single Senior Executive Service member. The makeover also involves scrapping most contract staff, which may range from 100 to 200 individuals. Hegseth asserts that these changes will save around $300 million annually.
As of fiscal 2025, a significant portion of DOT&E's budget—about $388.8 million—has been already expended, according to USAspending.gov. By June 3, all contractor support for DOT&E will be terminated, allowing the organization to refocus on its core mission. A 60-day acclimation period will transpire, after which the director can petition Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg for additional funds.
The Pentagon testing agency has primarily relied on contracts with various entities such as the Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA), MITRE Corp., defense contractor CACI, and prestigious universities like Massachusetts Institute of Technology for its operations.
In a statement, the Pentagon declared, "This decision eliminates redundancy in the defense acquisition system, returns DOT&E to its original mission as an oversight body, and empowers the Services and Combatant Commands with greater independence to ensure our military readiness and maintain our advantage."
But is drastically downsizing the DOT&E the smart move? Greg Zacharias, former chief scientist at DOT&E from 2018 to 2021, takes a different perspective. He indicated that the cuts would involve roughly 250 testers who are the cream of the crop, whose engineering expertise is vital for the development of effective new weapons.
"With an 80% reduction in manpower, we'll undoubtedly fail in their mission," Zacharias warned. He, like other former defense officials, suggested that the main driving force behind this move is the ambition to deploy programs like the Golden Dome missile defense system in record time.
Zacharias highlighted how the DOT&E conducts essential technical work, including educating test pilots and counterparts in the army and navy to bring design know-how. For example, he explained, "We figure out how to design a sample of flight tests without busting the budget."
Zacharias admitted that DOT&E performs numerous "unspoken responsibilities," including championing cutting-edge testing technologies, which the services might not have the resources to tackle. By ensuring systems function as advertised, the agency strives to prevent predicaments like the KC-46 aerial tanker's Remote Viewing System, which fails to perform optimally and necessitates significant redesigns.
William LaPlante, former Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment under the Biden administration, echoed Zacharias' concerns, saying that the loss of DOT&E would erode the oversight required to keep everyone honest. He maintained that DOT&E's annual report on most major defense acquisition programs is closely monitored and scrutinized by Congress.
"DOT&E acts as a check and balance," LaPlante stated, serving as a bridge between program management and Congress, although some may find their reports too detailed. The Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center, which handles most of the Air Force's testing, might lack the influence necessary to demand improvements, LaPlante said.
LaPlante valued the skilled contractors from IDA, MITRE, and other organizations, who possess unique expertise in testing complex weapons systems. He contended that, as systems grow increasingly intricate and reliant on emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and highly complex software, the requirement for such experts will grow even more intense.
One significant role granted to the Office of the DOT&E is providing counsel to the Joint Requirements Oversight Council regarding testing new technologies. The office came into being in 1983 following problems with the Army's Bradley Fighting Vehicle, as a test program hadn't been established until development had progressed far along. The new vehicle couldn't meet weight, water operations, and soldier-carrying requirements.
Former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall conceded that the Test & Evaluation Master Plan, one of DOT&E's primary contributions, is valuable. However, he also acknowledged that scaling back DOT&E's scope might make sense, given that DOT&E is both beneficial and burdensome.
Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.), ranking member on the Senate Armed Services Committee, detailed his opposition to Hegseth's strategy in a statement, saying, "Secretary Hegseth's decision to gut the Pentagon's Director of Operational Test and Evaluation office is reckless and damaging to military accountability and oversight."
Reed insisted that DOT&E has been playing a pivotal role for decades in safeguarding the integrity of major defense programs, guaranteeing that military systems are effective and reliable before being provided to the battlefield. Reducing DOT&E to merely a handful of personnel and limited contractor backing makes it impossible to provide adequate oversight for critical military programs, risking operational readiness and taxpayer dollars, Reed stated.
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's proposed downsizing of DOT&E raises concerns among former defense officials, including concerns about losing an essential check on the Pentagon and the potential impact on military readiness.
- The Space Force, as a branch of the military, could be affected by Hegseth's moves, as DOT&E plays a significant role in testing new technologies, such as those related to space.
- The politics of policy-and-legislation may also come into play as Senator Jack Reed (D-R.I.) strongly opposes Hegseth's strategy, deeming it reckless and damaging to military accountability and oversight.
- The air force and its testing center may face challenges if DOT&E is scaled back, as the agency currently plays a crucial role in providing technical support, including educating test pilots and counterparts in the army and navy.
- The future of weapons development could be impacted by the proposed changes to DOT&E, as 250 testers with vital engineering expertise would be lost as part of the downsizing.
- Hegseth's moves to streamline DOT&E could have far-reaching implications for military security, not just in terms of reducing redundancy but also in terms of losing an essential check on the Pentagon's policies and programs.
