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Tackling the Department of Defense’s Data Problem

Tackling the Department of Defense’s Data Problem
The Department of Defense logo is seen on the wall in the Press Briefing room at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 29, 2024. AP Photo/Kevin Wolf
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Commentary

The Department of Defense (DOD) needs a single source of truth at the enterprise level to pass a full financial statement audit. More importantly, it needs this kind of self-awareness to be a smarter customer, a better manager, a more accountable steward of taxpayer funds and ultimately, to be more capable, ready, and lethal at warfighting.

Elaine McCusker
Elaine McCusker
Author
Elaine McCusker is a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI). She previously served as the Pentagon’s acting undersecretary of defense (comptroller).