Bill > HR3840

This bill establishes the Office of Net Assessment within the Department of Defense, a policy aimed at maintaining an independent organization to analyze and compare the military capabilities, trends, and future prospects of the United States against other nations or groups of nations. This analysis, referred to as a "net assessment" which means a comparative analysis of military, technological, political, economic, and other factors governing the relative military capability of nations, is intended to identify emerging or future threats and opportunities for the United States. The office will be headed by a Senior Executive Service member appointed by the Secretary of Defense, who will report directly to the Secretary and can communicate views without needing approval from other Department of Defense officials. The bill also mandates that the Office of Net Assessment be assigned a separate, dedicated program element in budget materials submitted to Congress.