During which phase of the Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (PPBE) process do DoD services and agencies submit Program Objectives Memoranda (POM) to OSD?

The correct answer, which is Programming, is significant for several reasons. During the Programming phase of the PPBE process, the Department of Defense (DoD) services and agencies articulate how they plan to allocate resources to meet their strategic objectives. This is when they submit their Program Objectives Memoranda (POM) to the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD). The POM essentially outlines the funding necessary to support their respective programs over a specified period, typically the next five years.

The Programming phase serves to translate the higher-level planning guidance into actionable programs and associated budgets, aligning resource requirements with the Department's priorities and program goals. Through the submission of the POMs, the services communicate their needs, propose changes to existing programs, and justify new initiatives in response to the strategic objectives established in the planning phase.

Other phases of the PPBE process focus on different activities. The Planning phase identifies strategic goals and objectives but does not involve the submission of programmatic documents. The Budgeting phase is where the proposed budgets are formulated based on the programs outlined in the POMs, and the Execution phase involves the actual allocation and expenditure of the resources as approved in the budget. Therefore, Programming is the accurate phase for POM submissions as it