Pentagon to review procedures after Austin's secret hospitalization

State of play: Pentagon Inspector General Robert Storch announced the plans for a policy review in a memorandum Thursday.

• It will also look into whether the current policies and procedures are enough to "ensure timely and appropriate notifications" as well as transitions of authority, Storch wrote.
• The Pentagon's Office of Inspector General plans to perform the review at the Office of the Secretary of Defense but may identify other personnel or offices with relevant information along the way.
• The memorandum — addressed to Austin, the deputy secretary of defense, and the director of administration and management — asks each recipient to designate a staff member as a point of conduct for the review within five days.

The big picture: Although Austin remains hospitalized, the Pentagon announced Monday that he had resumed the full duties of his office.

• It was revealed earlier this week that Austin's hospitalization was due to complications from a procedure to treat prostate cancer.
• The White House — which was not notified for days following Austin's Jan. 1 hospitalization — has said that it has no plans to oust the Defense Secretary.
• However, the White House has order a review of Cabinet protocols for delegating authority.

Go deeper: Austin's hospitalization due to complications from prostate cancer treatment