Reports

Rec. 1.a: The DoD OIG recommended that the Defense Health Agency Director, in consultation with the Defense Civilian Personnel Advisory Service develop and implement a plan to ensure a more competitive pay rate for nursing and other hard to fill medical positions in all Defense Health Agency regions.

Rec. 1.c: The DoD OIG recommended that the Defense Health Agency Director, in consultation with the Defense Civilian Personnel Advisory Service develop and implement a plan to establish qualification requirements for nursing and other hard to fill medical positions if it is determined that it would enhance the DoD's efforts to help recruit and retain health care personnel.

Rec. 2.a: The DoD OIG recommended that the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, in consultation with the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs and the Defense Health Agency Director determine whether the DoD needs to extend waiving the authority to apply section 3326, title 5, United States Code, for appointments made to positions in medical or health profession with the DoD under the direct hire authority and, if so, provide the extension in a subsequent memo before the authority for covered positions expires on September 30, 2025.

Rec. 3.a: The DoD OIG recommended that the Defense Health Agency Director revise Defense Health Agency Administrative Instruction 5136.03 to establish approval authority for any civilian personnel extensions outside the continental United States beyond a period of 7 years.

Rec. 3.b: The DoD OIG recommended that the Defense Health Agency Director establish maximum time frames to approve civilian personnel extensions outside of the continental United States and require monitoring of extension approval timelines.

Rec. 3.d: The DoD OIG recommended that the Defense Health Agency Director develop and implement a plan to apply strategies and incentives used by other Federal agencies to hire entry-level registered nurses if it is determined the strategies and incentives would enhance the DoD's recruitment efforts.