Manpower Effectiveness of the All-Volunteer Force
FPCD-81-38: Published: Jul 15, 1981. Publicly Released: Jul 15, 1981.
Additional Materials:
- Full Report:
Contact:
An assessment was made to determine whether the problems and recommendations cited in a previous classified report on the manpower effectiveness of the All Volunteer Forces (AVF) were still valid. Three main objectives in preparing the assessment were to: (1) determine if actions had been taken to improve previously reported situations; (2) obtain updated information on issues which could be incorporated in an unclassified report; and (3) make the analysis available so as to add to public debate on this subject.
GAO found that, since its classified report was issued, the executive branch had taken some actions to improve the manpower mobilization system, including a new system for computing manpower requirements, but that a shortage of people could severely hamper each unit's ability to perform its wartime mission. Further, there are still many unknowns on the use of (1) pretrained individuals before and after mobilization, and (2) the number of reservists who would fail to report or report late if recalled. The Office of the Secretary of Defense has directed the services to use an expected yield goal of 90 percent for the individual ready reservists for planning purposes; however, the basis for their goal has not been systematically established. Also, it appears that the Army would have to degrade the quality of training after mobilization because of a shortage of training companies, trainers, training equipment, and training supplies.
Matter for Congressional Consideration
Status:
Comments: Please call 202/512-6100 for additional information.
Matter: Congress should reexamine the Nation's Total Force policy and the staffing of the force with all volunteers. It should also decide whether the Nation's military commitments should be lessened. Once this is decided, Congress should reevaluate the roles of the Active, Guard, Reserve, and/or pretrained individuals to meet the Total Force commitments and determine the costs of implementing the recommendations.
Recommendation for Executive Action
Status:
Comments: Please call 202/512-6100 for additional information.
Recommendation: The Secretary of Defense should: (1) define data used in the Wartime Manpower Program system and thoroughly explain the system's limitations when reporting to Congress; and (2) limit the Department of Defense's estimates of usable numbers of pretrained individuals to those that have been located.
Agency Affected: Department of Defense
Explore the full database of GAO's Open Recommendations
»
Dec 15, 2020
-
The Nation's Fiscal Health:
Information on the Spending and Revenue Implications of Potential Debt TargetsGAO-21-211: Published: Dec 15, 2020. Publicly Released: Dec 15, 2020.
Oct 7, 2020
-
The Nation's Fiscal Health:
A Long-Term Plan Is Needed for Fiscal SustainabilityGAO-21-161T: Published: Oct 7, 2020. Publicly Released: Oct 7, 2020.
Sep 23, 2020
-
The Nation's Fiscal Health:
Effective Use of Fiscal Rules and TargetsGAO-20-561: Published: Sep 23, 2020. Publicly Released: Sep 23, 2020.
Jan 23, 2020
-
Federal Trust Funds and Other Dedicated Funds:
Fiscal Sustainability Is a Growing Concern for Some Key FundsGAO-20-156: Published: Jan 16, 2020. Publicly Released: Jan 23, 2020.
Dec 19, 2019
-
State and Local Governments' Fiscal Outlook:
2019 UpdateGAO-20-269SP: Published: Dec 19, 2019. Publicly Released: Dec 19, 2019.
Nov 14, 2019
-
Certificated Expenditures:
Executive Office of the President FY 2018 Certificated Expenditures Were Spent for Authorized PurposesGAO-20-139R: Published: Nov 14, 2019. Publicly Released: Nov 14, 2019.
Oct 16, 2019
-
Civilian Personnel:
Additional Guidance and Consistent Data Reporting Could Help Improve the Marine Corps' Budget ManagementGAO-20-148: Published: Oct 16, 2019. Publicly Released: Oct 16, 2019.
Jun 26, 2019
-
The Nation's Fiscal Health:
Actions Needed to Achieve Long-Term Fiscal SustainabilityGAO-19-611T: Published: Jun 26, 2019. Publicly Released: Jun 26, 2019.
Apr 10, 2019
-
The Nation's Fiscal Health:
Action Is Needed to Address the Federal Government's Fiscal FutureGAO-19-314SP: Published: Apr 10, 2019. Publicly Released: Apr 10, 2019.
Mar 27, 2019
-
Fiscal Exposures:
Federal Insurance and Other Activities That Transfer Risk or Losses to the GovernmentGAO-19-353: Published: Mar 27, 2019. Publicly Released: Mar 27, 2019.
Looking for more? Browse all our products here