England to be DOD's first chief management officer

Defense Department Secretary Robert Gates has issued a new job description for Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England, making him the department’s first chief management officer. The designation is included in a Sept. 18 directive signed by Gates. The document includes four paragraphs outlining England’s duties as CMO. In his new role, England has the lead in ensuring the Pentagon’s business functions are in sync with the military’s warfighting missions, according to the document. In addition,England is responsible for establishing performance goals and measures for improving the efficiency of DOD’s processes, the document states. England also must develop a DOD-wide strategic plan for business reform, Gates' directive reads. Pentagon officials, including England, have previously resisted calls by Congress and the Government Accountability Office to create the CMO post. They have argued the job would add a layer of bureaucracy to decision-making processes at DOD.