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Navy Must Improve Its Accountability for Conventional Ammunition

PLRD-81-54 Published: Jul 29, 1981. Publicly Released: Jul 29, 1981.
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Highlights

Navy ammunition is stored at inland depots and at coastal outloading activities. All activities periodically report ammunition receipts, issues, expenditures, and losses to the conventional ammunition inventory management system (CAIMS). The database from this system constitutes the Navy's ammunition accountable records which are the basis for day-to-day management decisions, program planning, and budget justification. GAO completed a study of the Navy's accountability for conventional ammunition.

Recommendations

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Department of the Navy The Secretary of the Navy should develop a program to expedite the reconciliation of CAIMS, through physical inventories if necessary, with the inventories at storage activities, including single manager depots. Causes of significant inventory adjustments should be investigated.
Closed
Please call 202/512-6100 for additional information.
Department of the Navy The Secretary of the Navy should enforce and modify, as necessary, the procedures for reporting and investigating discrepancies to determine whether ammunition was lost or stolen.
Closed
Please call 202/512-6100 for additional information.
Department of the Navy The Secretary of the Navy should develop a capability within CAIMS to effectively monitor the status of ammunition transactions.
Closed
Please call 202/512-6100 for additional information.
Department of the Navy The Secretary of the Navy should process suspended ammunition promptly, giving consideration to priority items. Inventory records should accurately reflect the quantities and locations of suspended ammunition.
Closed
Please call 202/512-6100 for additional information.
Department of the Navy The Secretary of the Navy should determine whether the preinspection program should be continued since there is less than full acceptance and commitment to the program. If the program is continued, the reasons for the lack of acceptance and commitment should be addressed and alleviated, and other alternatives, such as inspecting some returned ammunition at the pier, should be explored.
Closed
Please call 202/512-6100 for additional information.
Department of the Navy The Secretary of the Navy should develop a procedure requiring interim accountability for ammunition designated for further transfer and enforce the reporting of this material to CAIMS. Cognizant personnel should be aware of priority items designated for further transfer to assist in determining the order and manner of shipping.
Closed
Please call 202/512-6100 for additional information.

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Topics

AmmunitionInspectionInventory control systemsMilitary inventoriesNational defense operationsNaval procurementNaval suppliesProperty and supply managementMilitary forcesInventories