REPORT ON COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH OVERSEAS DEPENDENTS

SEC. 914. REPORT ON COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH OVERSEAS DEPENDENTS (a) Report Required.—The Secretary of Defense shall submit a report to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and House of Representatives on practicable options available to the Department of Defense to reduce costs associated with maintaining overseas— (1) dependents of members of the Armed Forces; and (2) dependents of civilian employees of the Department of Defense. (b) Elements of Repost.—In preparing the report required by subsection (a), the Secretary shall specifically address, at a minimum, the following: (1) Whether expansion of incentives for unaccompanied tours of duty overseas would be effective in increasing the number of such tours and whether such an expansion of incentives would be cost effective. (2) Whether more frequent rotation of overseas personnel without dependents would result in overall savings as compared to current rotation practices. (3) Whether an increase in the use of local contractors at overseas stations to provide services currently being provided by Department of Defense personnel would result in overall savings to the United States. (4) The cost implications for United States families at over-seas stations resulting from an increase in the use of local contractors. (5) Whether costs associated with the support of overseas dependents would change from a reduction in personnel under a conventional forces in Europe (CFE) agreement. (6) Whether the granting of fewer exceptions to the length of overseas duty tours would reduce permanent change of station costs. (7) The extent to which overseas facilities could be consolidated and centralized to reduce administrative and overhead costs. (8) The extent to which reductions in family support services at overseas stations could be made without materially affecting the standard of living of the personnel assigned to duty at such stations. (9) Whether reductions in overseas family support costs would likely result in increased costs in programs in the United States. (10) The extent to which dependents would be likely to accompany members of the Armed Forces and civilian employees of the Department of Defense to overseas stations in the absence of each of the various types of special assistance and benefits currently provided to overseas dependents. (11) The effect that a reduction or termination of the various types of the special assistance and benefits for overseas dependents would have on combat readiness, morale, and retention. (b) Time for Submission.—The report required by subsection (a) shall be submitted not later than February 1, 1990.