Approval authorities for DoD Component-specific UONs, including their validation, program execution, and the designation of the MDA, is at the DoD Component level (DoDI 5000.81 Section 3).  DoD component UONs are defined in CJCS Instruction 5123.01H and further discussed in DoDD 5000.71.

The "Purpose Statute" provides that agencies shall apply appropriations only to the objects for which the appropriations were made, except as otherwise provided by law (31 U.S.C. § 1301(a)).

Although the operational unit does not have RDT&E funding to cover the expenses related to the development, procurement and fielding of this quick reaction capability, it cannot use funds appropriated for other purposes to fund the UON.  In this case, the operational unit should coordinate through its chain-of-command to secure funding to support the requirement from other Army sources.

The Army G-8 is the Army's lead for matching available resources to the defense strategy and the Army plan. The Army Budget Office (ABO) is responsible for budget execution and analysis, reprogramming actions, and appropriation fund control/distribution. The personnel in the ABO work closely with G-8 and the functional program/subprogram managers and sponsors who are responsible for program development and management. An option for consideration to fund the requirement includes reprogramming.