Army National Guard: Planned Conversions Are a Positive Step, but Unvalidated Combat Forces Remain
NSIAD-97-55BR
Published: Jan 29, 1997. Publicly Released: Jan 29, 1997.
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Highlights
GAO reviewed the Army National Guard Division Redesign Study to determine how the study addressed the need to make better use of reserve forces.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Defense | The Secretary of Defense, as he guides the Quadrennial Defense Review, should direct that the review process validate requirements for Guard combat structure. |
Closed – Implemented
The Quadrennial Defense Review has been completed. GAO has no indication that the Secretary of Defense directed the action that GAO recommended. However, the Review considered missions for the National Guard combat structure and determined that the defense strategy could be supported with a smaller force.
|
| Department of Defense | Once this validation is complete, the Secretary of Defense, in concert with the Secretary of the Army, should eliminate any structure beyond that which is needed to carry out the national security strategy. |
Closed – Implemented
The Quadrennial Defense Review determined that 45,000 total spaces could be cut from the National Guard and Army Reserve. As a result of further negotiations between the Reserve components and the Army, the Guard and Reserve agreed to cut 20,000 personnel--17,000 Guard and 3,000 Reserve. The cuts are to occur for the Guard as follows: 5,000 in 1998, 5,000 in 1999, and 7,000 in 2000. The cuts for the Reserve will occur in 2000. It is unclear when and where the additional 25,000 personnel cuts will occur.
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Topics
Armed forces reservesArmy reservistsCost analysisDefense contingency planningFederal agency reorganizationStaff utilizationMilitary cost controlMilitary downsizingPersonnel managementReductions in force