The Challenge Of Managing Defense,

The Brooks Family Lecture The American military budget approaches the Gross Domestic Product of Australia. It is the largest single employer in the US. Yet it is managed almost entirely by a .command and control. system. While it is led by the President as commander-in-chief, it is overseen by the 535 Members of Congress, and its actions (both triumphs and failures) are the subject of daily front-page news coverage, particularly in time of war. The American public expects the military to meet the highest standards of performance, and properly so. How does one manage a public enterprise of this sort? Can it meet these high expectations? Does it? Dr. Chu is President of the Institute for Defense Analyses. IDA.s mission is to assist the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Joint Staff, the Unified Commands, and the Defense Agencies, in addressing important national security issues, particularly those requiring scientific and technical expertise. Dr. Chu served in the Department of Defense as Under Secretary for Personnel and Readiness (2001-09), and earlier as Assistant Secretary and Director for Program Analysis and Evaluation (1978-93). Dr. Chu received his BA in Economics and Mathematics, and his Ph.D. in economics, from Yale University. He is the recipient of the Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service with Gold Palm, the Department of Veterans Affairs Meritorious Service Award, the Department of the Navy Distinguished Public Service Award, and the National Public Service Award of the National Academy of Public Administration, of which he is a Fellow.
Location: Rockefeller 3