(DOD) has expanded its involvement in overseas military operations, it has grown increasingly reliant on its federal civilian workforce to support contingency operations. GAO was asked to discuss DOD's (1) force health protection and surveillance policies, (2) medical treatment policies that cover federal civilians while they are deployed to support contingency operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, and (3) differences in special pays and benefits provided to DOD's deployed federal civilian and military personnel. For this statement, GAO primarily drew on its September 2006 report that addressed these objectives. For its report, GAO analyzed over 3,400 deployment-related records at eight component locations for deployed federal civilians and policies related to defense health care, reviewed claims filed under the Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA); and examined major provisions of special pays and disability and death benefits provided to DOD's deployed federal civilians and military personnel.

The DoD and other executive agencies increasingly deploy civilians in support of contingency operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Prior reports show that the use of deployed civilians has raised questions about the potential for differences in policies on compensation and medical benefits. This report compare agency policies and identifies any issues in policy or implementation regarding: (1) compensation; (2) medical benefits; and (3) identification and tracking of deployed civilians. Includes recommendations. Charts and tables.