§ 343.4 - Responsibilities and functions.

The Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness is the principal staff assistant and advisor to the Secretary and Deputy Secretary of Defense for Total Force management as it relates to readiness; National Guard and Reserve component affairs; health affairs; training; and personnel requirements and management, including equal opportunity, morale, welfare, and quality of life matters. In this capacity, the USD(P&R) shall:

(a) Develop policies, plans, and programs for:

(1) Total force personnel and their allocation among DoD Components and between the active and reserve components to ensure efficient and effective support of wartime and peacetime operations, contingency planning, and preparedness.

(2) Reserve component affairs to promote the effective integration of Reserve component capabilities into a cohesive total force.

(3) Health and medical affairs sufficient to provide, and maintain readiness to provide, medical services and support to members of the Armed Forces during military operations, and to provide medical services and support to members of the Armed Forces, their dependents, and others entitled to DoD medical care.

(4) Recruitment, training, equal opportunity, compensation, recognition, discipline, and separation of all DoD personnel, to include both military (active, reserve, and retired) and civilian.

(5) The quality of life of DoD personnel and their dependents, including family support, allowances, transition assistance, community services, and dependent education.

(6) DoD morale, welfare, and recreation programs and supporting non-appropriated fund revenue-generating programs including commissaries and exchanges.

(7) Interagency and intergovernmental activities, special projects, or external requests that create a demand for DoD personnel resources.

(b) Serve as OSD focal point for readiness issues; develop policies, management structures, and administrative processes to ensure forces have sufficient readiness to execute the National Military Strategy; oversee Total Force personnel and medical readiness; and coordinate with other Principal Staff Assistants and cognizant officials in the Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and in the Services on other aspects of readiness.

(c) Analyze the total force structure as related to quantitative and qualitative military and civilian personnel requirements, utilization, readiness and support. Administer and implement controls on military and civilian personnel strengths for Military Departments, Defense Agencies, and other DoD Components.

(d) Review and evaluate the requirements of the Defense Acquisition Board's major defense acquisition programs and proposed weapon systems for personnel, training, and readiness implications, and the implications of weapon systems maintainability for qualitative and quantitative personnel requirements and for readiness.

(e) Formulate policy for and ensure coordination of DoD Noncombatant Evacuation Operations (NEO).

(f) Participate in those planning, programming, and budgeting activities that relate to assigned areas of responsibility.

(g) Serve on boards, committees, and other groups pertaining to assigned functional areas and represent the Secretary of Defense on personnel, readiness, Reserve component, health, and compensation matters outside of the Department.

(h) Perform such other functions as the Secretary of Defense may prescribe.