Millions Spent Needlessly in Navy and Marine Corps' Aviation Bonus Program
FPCD-82-56: Published: Aug 9, 1982. Publicly Released: Aug 10, 1982.
Additional Materials:
- Full Report:
Contact:
(202) 275-5140
contact@gao.gov
Office of Public Affairs
(202) 512-4800
youngc1@gao.gov
GAO evaluated the Navy and Marine Corps' implementation of the aviation officer continuation bonus program to determine whether these services are using it selectively as Congress intended.
GAO found that the Navy and the Marine Corps have not judiciously managed the bonus program and that almost 80 percent of their total payments during fiscal year (FY) 1981 were spent unnecessarily. In many cases, both services pay bonuses to officers who are not in specialties where there are critical shortages or who are past the point in their careers where retention is a problem. GAO found that all bonus money committed by the Navy in FY 1981 for naval flight officer bonuses was unnecessarily spent, while the Marine Corps' approach to retaining officers is not an economical way to solve its shortages. These problems could be significantly resolved by more clearly defining eligibility criteria. GAO believes that, although a number of problems exist in its implementation, the bonus program should be extended, but under tighter restrictions and for a shorter period of time than was requested so that Congress will have an opportunity to reassess the need for bonuses.
Matters for Congressional Consideration
Status: Closed - Implemented
Comments: When we determine what steps the Congress has taken, we will provide updated information.
Matter: Congress should amend 37 U.S.C. 301b to extend the bonus authorization to September 30, 1984, and to define eligibility to include all of an aviator's active duty service.
Status: Closed - Implemented
Comments: When we determine what steps the Congress has taken, we will provide updated information.
Matter: Congress should amend 37 U.S.C. 301b by adding a provision requiring the Secretary of the Navy to develop new bonus implementing procedures which would: (1) target the bonus to specific aviation specialties where there are, and continue to be, critical shortages of aviators; and (2) limit the application of the bonus to those years of service where retention has been a problem.
Explore the full database of GAO's Open Recommendations
»
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
Explore our Key Issues on Budget and Spending
Explore our other Key Issues here
