Marine Corps Manpower: Improvements Needed in Processes for Determining Manpower Requirements
NSIAD-87-102
Published: May 26, 1987. Publicly Released: Jul 01, 1987.
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Highlights
In response to a congressional request, GAO evaluated the adequacy of the processes the Marine Corps used to determine its manpower requirements for non-Fleet Marine Forces (FMF) and administrative and support components of FMF units.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| United States Marine Corps | The Commandant of the Marine Corps should issue guidance governing the development and application of manpower determination processes, including: (1) when engineered manpower standards, rather than less precise criteria such as staffing guides, should be used; (2) when and how staffing standards should be developed, validated or updated, and documented; (3) how structure studies should be used in determining manpower needs; and (4) when and how judgement should be used in the manpower determination process and how it should be documented. |
Closed – Implemented
A formal handbook has been developed providing guidance and instructions governing the development and application of the manpower program. The new Manpower Requirements Determination Program is expected to be implemented and fully operational by December 31, 1989.
|
| United States Marine Corps | The Commandant of the Marine Corps should require systematic management oversight that will provide adequate coordination and monitoring of the procedures the various organizations use to determine their manpower needs. |
Closed – Implemented
Manpower department representatives will conduct periodic visits to all commands to ensure coordination and management oversight.
|
| United States Marine Corps | The Commandant of the Marine Corps should require that the staffing standards program: (1) use accepted work-measurement techniques in standards development and validation; (2) use efficiency review results in the development of staffing standards; and (3) expand coverage of staffing standards to include all FMF and non-FMF functions where work-load measurement is feasible and practical. |
Closed – Implemented
Initial efforts were directed at non-FMF units and selected FMF functions are being examined for methodology applicability. Staffing standards are currently being developed for a large portion of non-FMF and service support FMF.
|
| United States Marine Corps | The Commandant of the Marine Corps should require that the on-site survey program use: (1) applicable standards and explain deviations from the standards; (2) a combination of techniques where the operational audit approach is applied; and (3) on-site surveys to help establish requirements for appropriate elements of FMF units. |
Closed – Implemented
New manpower requirement procedures are being developed and will be used at selected FMF units in garrison. A manpower determination course has been developed and is expected to begin shortly.
|
| United States Marine Corps | The Commandant of the Marine Corps should ensure that adequate documentation is maintained on the development and application of staffing standards, the conduct of on-site surveys, and the use of manpower requirements information from structure studies. |
Closed – Implemented
The new manpower program provides full documentation and audit trail on the development and use of standards.
|
| United States Marine Corps | The Commandant of the Marine Corps should identify manpower requirements independent of fiscal and personnel management constraints. |
Closed – Implemented
This is being done incrementally as the new manpower requirements determination program progresses.
|
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Topics
Staff utilizationIndustrial engineeringMarine Corps personnelMilitary cost controlWork measurementMilitary forcesSurveysAviationAircraft acquisition programPersonnel management