Simulation Training: Management Framework Improved, but Challenges Remain

As of August 1995, six permanent military billets, dedicated to DMSO functions, had been filled. Four billets are military and two are civilian.

In June 1993, the Joint Staff completed two studies of its organization structure that resulted in two reorganizations. First, effective June 1, 1993, management responsibilities for information resources technology were consolidated under the Deputy Director for Technical Operations within the Force Structure, Resources, and Assessment Directorate (J-8). An instruction clarifying responsibilities for the development and management of simulations was distributed in August 1993. Second, effective September, 1994, the Joint Simulation and Interoperability Division and the Joint Warfare Center within (J-7) was consolidated into the Joint Doctrine, Warfighting, and Simulation Center in Norfolk, Virginia. These changes should eliminate most of the duplication at the Joint Staff. However, these actions may result in other duplicative efforts which are being addressed under another GAO assignment.

The Army accepts the validity of the recommendations and advises that it expects to complete adequate testing, cost analyses, and training effectiveness studies before April 1997--the anticipated low-rate initial production decision point. To this end, the Army has designed the data elements to be tested, the most effective methodology for collecting and analyzing the data, and criteria for ensuring realistic training effectiveness of CCTT. The presentation of test results remains scheduled for January 1997.