The History of DHRA

DHRA was established in 1996 to give the Under Secretary of Defense (Personnel and Readiness) (USD (P&R)) greater oversight and flexibility in coordinating the work of several components that directly support P&R.

DHRA Timeline

  • 1993 - The USD (P&R) conducted a feasibility study to evaluate merging the Defense Manpower Data Center, a Defense Support Activity (DSA), and the Defense Civilian Personnel Management Service (CPMS), a Field Activity.
  • 1994 - The Department of Defense Inspector General (DoD IG) audited all DoD DSAs and recommended consolidation of the DMDC with the CPMS.
  • 1996 - The USD (P&R) completed the internal P&R feasibility study and reached the tentative conclusion that the consolidation appeared to be in the best interests of his office. At the request of USD (P&R), the Director, Administration and Management (A&M), conducted a study of the organization, functions, management, and manpower distributions of the Office of the USD (P&R) and subordinate activities. One of the central proposals of this study was the merger of DMDC with CPMS, to form the DoD Human Resources Activity (DHRA).
  • 1996 - The Deputy Secretary of Defense formalized the recommendations of the Director, A&M by issuing a Memorandum establishing the DoD Human Resources Activity (DHRA).
  • 1998 - The Deputy Secretary of Defense signed the Field Activity's charter, DoD Directive 5100.87, DoD Human Resources Activity (DoDHRA).
  • 1997 through 2006 - The following organizations have been added to the Field Activity since it was established: Law Enforcement Policy and Support (1997), Personnel and Readiness Information Management (P&R IM) (1997), the Defense Personnel Security Research Center (1999), the Defense Resources Management Institute (1999), the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (2003), the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services (2003), the Federal Voting Assistance Program (2003), the Office of the Actuary (2003), the Defense Language Office (2005), the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office (2005), the Travel Management Office (2006).