MIL-SPEC & MIL-STD Reform

The prudent allocation of funds is always an issue with any government agency. This is especially true in the Department of Defense (DoD) due to its magnitude and heightened level of public scrutiny. Acquisition reform is an ongoing federal/commercial effort designed to save both government and industry money by permanently altering the manner in which the DoD solicits civilian contracts and products. A necessary first step in this reform is to revise outdated and obsolete military specifications and standards. This paper will examine federal policy regarding government specification reform and explore the implications of the policy to date. It will also speculate on the future of reform and address the bigger issue behind standards reform, civil-military integration.