scope:

PURPOSE. In accordance with the authority in DoD Directive 5124.02 (Reference (a)), this instruction:

a. Reissues DoD Instruction 8260.04 (Reference (b)).

b. Implements the policy in DoD Directive 8260.05 (Reference (c)) and the guidance in DoD Instruction 8260.2 (Reference (d)), assigns responsibilities, and provides procedures to MHS members for DoD strategic planning, programming, and analysis.

c. Provides guidance to improve the capability of the medical community to support the DoD support for strategic analysis (SSA) process through the development of improved Health Service Support (HSS) data, software tools and models, and a coordinated MHS strategic studies program pursuant to Reference (c).

d. Establishes the MHS Strategic Analysis Workgroup (SAWG) to review and validate MHS input to SSA products in accordance with DoD Instruction 5105.18 (Reference (e)).

APPLICABILITY. This instruction applies to OSD, the Military Departments, the Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Joint Staff, the Combatant Commands, the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Defense, the Defense Agencies, the DoD Field Activities, and all other organizational entities within the DoD (referred to collectively in this instruction as the "DoD Components").