Army Training: Need to Strengthen Internal Controls Over Troop Schools
NSIAD-88-208
Published: Aug 04, 1988. Publicly Released: Aug 04, 1988.
Skip to Highlights
Highlights
GAO evaluated the Army's management of its contractor-operated troop schools, to determine whether the: (1) Army determined troop school courses and the number of soldiers attending them in accordance with Army regulations; (2) contractors taught courses that were consistent with Army standards and doctrine; and (3) Army established effective controls over the schools' operations.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of the Army | The Secretary of the Army should develop guidance on factors that commanders should consider, including alternative training sources, in conducting needs assessments. |
Closed – Implemented
The Army has drafted revisions to chapter 11, Army Regulation (AR) 351-1, which provide guidance to commanders in conducting needs assessments. While publication of the revision has been delayed, Army major commands are aware of policy changes and have reduced contracted troop schools for fiscal year 1990 accordingly.
|
| Department of the Army | The Secretary of the Army should develop standardized criteria for commanders to use to: (1) determine the number of soldiers who should be cross-trained to provide adequate backup expertise; (2) establish entrance qualifications for enrollment in troop school courses; and (3) evaluate program effectiveness. |
Closed – Implemented
The Army has drafted revisions to chapter 11, AR 351-1, which state that, for company-size units, no more than two soldiers attend troop schools for the purpose of being trained as backup. Soldiers selected for troop school will have minimum of 2 years retention in the unit after course completion. The program effectiveness will be evaluated by the Army's Troop School proponent.
|
| Department of the Army | The Secretary of the Army should develop and implement internal control procedures to ensure that adequate needs assessments are conducted before installations contract for training and that troop school programs are properly monitored and evaluated. |
Closed – Implemented
The Army plans to implement internal control measures to ensure that needs assessments are accurate and that the total program is monitored for effective training. Draft regulations contain internal controls to ensure proper monitoring and evaluation.
|
| Department of the Army | The Secretary of the Army should determine whether soldier certification tests should be continued in view of the Skill Qualification Test Program in place throughout the Army. If certification is found to be necessary, the Army should develop standardized tests for use in all troop school programs. |
Closed – Implemented
The Army has determined that certification tests should be continued. The Army has developed 6 tests and all 12 tests will be completed by January 1991. Army Regulation 351-41 now instructs TRADOC to update certification of courses.
|
| Department of the Army | The Secretary of the Army should ensure that programs of instruction currently used in troop schools are reviewed and approved by TRADOC schools. |
Closed – Implemented
TRADOC has initiated a review of troop school programs of instruction and plans to make the revisions needed to comply with current Army doctrine.
|
| Department of the Army | The Secretary of the Army should direct TRADOC to develop standardized programs of instruction as new requirements for troop school courses are identified. |
Closed – Implemented
The Army has directed TRADOC to review and approve Programs of Instruction's training materials to ensure they are consistent with Army-wide doctrine instructional procedures and standards. Effective October 1, 1990, only 16 courses will be authorzied to be taught in troop school programs; exceptions must be approved by TRADOC.
|
Full Report
Office of Public Affairs
Topics
Army personnelCombat readinessEducation or training costsFunds managementGOCOInternal controlsMilitary trainingMonitoringPersonnel managementProgram management