PPBE Process

Program Element (PE)

The Program Element (PE) defines a development effort with specific design, cost, schedule and capability parameters and is the primary data element in the Future Year Defense Program (FYDP) and is the foundation of the PPBE Process.  Each program and entity within the defense portfolio has its own PE and is the specific allocation of resources for those entities from the Secretary of Defense. PEs are designed and quantified to be comprehensive and mutually exclusive and identifies the mission to be undertaken and the organizational entities to perform the mission. They may be aggregated in a variety of ways:

  • To display the total resources assigned to a specific program
  • To display weapons systems and support systems within a program
  • To select specified resources
  • To display logical groupings for analytical purposes
  • To identify selected functional groupings of resources

Definition: A Program Element is an integrated combination of men, equipment, and facilities, constituting an identifiable military capability or support activity.

Program Element (PE) Semiology

The semiology of PEs consists of a seven-digit number with an alphabetical suffix that identifies a program, organization, or office. The first two digits identify the Major Force Program (MFP) that contains the PE (e.g., the PE “0203123A” would indicate an Army program within MFP 2 – General Purpose Forces). The alphabetical suffix identifies the Service or Defense Agency that has cognizance over a particular program element. For example, “A” indicates an Army program, “F” an Air Force program, “N” a Navy program, and “M” a Marine Corps program. This PE structure facilitates the compilation of the FYDP for different purposes, such as an appropriation review.

Program Element (PE) Example

How to read a Program Element Number: Example 0603502N

DERIVATION0603502N
DoD PROGRAM06
R&D CATEGORY03
EQUIPMENT/ACTIVITY5
SERIAL NUMBER02
SERVICEN

 

 DoD Program Service
01Strategic ForcesAArmy
02General Purpose ForceBBU.S. Special Operations Command
03Intelligence and CommunicationBLDefense Contract Management Agency
04Mobility ForcesBPChemical & Biological Defense
05Guard & Reserve ForcesBRDefense Threat Reduction Agency
06Research & DevelopmentCMissile Defense Agency
07Central Supply & MaintenanceDZOffice of Secretary of Defense
08Training, Medical & OtherDOOperational, Test & Evaluation Defense
09Administrative & Associated ActivitiesEDARPA
10Support of Other NationsFAir Force
11Special Operations ForcesJJoint Staff
 R&D CategoryKDefense Information Systems Agency
BA-1Basic ResearchMMarine Corp
BA-2Applied ResearchNNavy
BA-3Advanced Technology DevelopmentSDefense Logistics Agency
BA-4Advance Component & PrototypesTDefense Security Cooperation Agency
BA-5System Development & DemonstrationSEDoD Human Resources Activity
BA-6RDT&E Management SupportVDefense Security Center
BA-7Operational System DevelopmentKADefense Technical Information Center
B8WWashington Headquarters
 Equipment/Activity Type  
1Military Sciences
2Aircraft & Related Equipment
3Missiles & Related Equipment
4Military Astronautics & Related Equipment
5Ships, Small Craft & Related Equipment
6Ordnance, Combat Vehicle & Related Equipment
7Other Equipment
8Program-wide Management & Support

See DoD Financial Management Regulation 7000.14-R, Volume 2B, Chapter 5

AcqLinks and References:

Updated: 9/26/2023

Rank: G1

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