The Army Needs To Improve Individual Soldier Training in Its Units
FPCD-81-29
Published: Mar 31, 1981. Publicly Released: Mar 31, 1981.
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Highlights
In an attempt to reduce training costs and make training programs more specific, the Army has shifted its emphasis from the formal school environment to the operating unit and designated specific tasks to be taught at each level. Most training now takes place in Army units. Because of the growing concern about the training capability of the Army and the need to assess the fundamental policy changes of the training philosophy, GAO conducted a review of Army training. GAO reviewed the Army's individual skill training programs at 15 active units and administered questionnaires to soldiers throughout the Army.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of the Army | The Secretary of the Army should determine ways existing resources, including noncommissioned officers (NCO), can be better used to improve training. More specifically, alternative management techniques should be identified to reduce personnel turbulence, consolidate training to make better use of experienced trainers, and more rapidly prepare young NCO to be effective trainers. |
Closed – Implemented
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
|
| Department of the Army | The Secretary of the Army should ensure that the Army implements an effective individual skill training program. GAO believes this can best be accomplished by requiring an independent organization to perform periodic assessments of training effectiveness within the Army and encourages the Secretary of the Army to consider using the Army Audit Agency for such assessments. |
Closed – Implemented
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
|
| Department of the Army | The Secretary of the Army should emphasize to Army commanders the importance of unit skill training and should require commanders at the battalion level and above to ensure that primary trainers: (1) use the Soldiers Manual as their program criteria; (2) develop a training plan which provides for training in all Soldiers Manual tasks; (3) maintain job books for the soldiers they supervise so that training needs are documented; (4) use training extension course lessons in their training programs; (5) incorporate individual training into all phases of unit activity and make use of available slack time to provide opportunity training; and (6) use job books, SQT results, and Soldiers Manuals to develop training programs which provide training in those tasks where additional work is needed. |
Closed – Implemented
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
|
| Department of the Army | The Secretary of the Army should: (1) take action to see that the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans establishes a more effective Army-wide system to monitor the accomplishment of skill training provided to enlisted personnel; (2) require the Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) to evaluate fully the current individual skill training doctrine; and (3) require TRADOC to evaluate the effectiveness of the Battalion Training Management System. |
Closed – Implemented
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
|
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Topics
Enlisted personnelStaff utilizationMilitary trainingNational defense operationsPersonnel managementSurveysMilitary forcesTraining programsTeachingAmmunition