Force Structure: Army Needs To Further Test the Light Infantry Division
NSIAD-88-115
Published: Apr 12, 1988. Publicly Released: Apr 18, 1988.
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Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO examined the Army's assessment of its light infantry division operational concept and organizational design, focusing on the: (1) standards the Army used; (2) deficiencies it identified; (3) solutions it proposed; (4) Army's plans to resolve remaining deficiencies; and (5) implications of the evaluation results for light infantry divisions.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of the Army | The Secretary of the Army should conduct testing of non-divisional support units to assess their capability to adequately support the light division. |
Closed – Implemented
The Department of Defense (DOD) stated that evaluation of light infantry divisions and their capabilities will continue. One light division will participate in Reforger 90 providing information on support needs in Europe. Since testing of light divisions will continue indefinitely, this recommendation should be closed.
|
| Department of the Army | The Secretary of the Army should determine how long it will take light divisions comprised totally or partially of reserve units to mobilize and deploy and whether these divisions can effectively fulfill the light division concept. |
Closed – Not Implemented
DOD stated that the 29th division and reserve elements of the 6th and 10th divisions have been assigned missions that either do not require rapid deployment or do not require simultaneous deployment of all division elements. Accordingly, this recommendation is no longer applicable.
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Topics
Army personnelCombat readinessDefense contingency planningForce structureEvaluation criteriaEvaluation methodsMilitary airlift operationsMilitary materielStrategic mobility forcesTesting