Readiness of the U.S. Coast Guard
PLRD-82-98: Published: Aug 18, 1982. Publicly Released: Aug 18, 1982.
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GAO evaluated the Coast Guard's and Navy's mobilization planning to consider whether improvements have been made in this area since an earlier report reviewed these same issues. The review focused on: (1) the need to more fully evaluate the Coast Guard's wartime roles and missions, and (2) the readiness of Coast Guard forces.
Difficulties have continuously hampered efforts to assign the Coast Guard wartime tasks to support Navy operations and to develop viable plans for carrying out the tasks. The primary problem has been the inability to realistically match the Coast Guard's assigned wartime tasks and its existing or planned capabilities. Studies of wartime tasks and missions have had little effect because the Coast Guard's wartime duties have not been adequately evaluated. GAO believes that major questions remain regarding the tasks that should be assigned to the Coast Guard in wartime and the ability of its services to effectively carry out these tasks. GAO concluded that, until the issue of assigning wartime tasks is resolved, there will be no baseline against which to make effective decisions.
Recommendations for Executive Action
Status: Closed - Implemented
Comments: DOT has reached an agreement with the Navy concerning Coast Guard responsibilities in the Maritime Defense Zone. This has become an ongoing liaison to ensure that Coast Guard responsibilities in wartime are currently defined. Because the Maritime Defense Zone agreements are not attributable to this recommendation, an accomplishment report will not be prepared.
Recommendation: The Secretary of Transportation, in consultation with the Commandant of the Coast Guard and the Joint Chiefs of Staff, should reach agreement with the Secretary of the Navy on the specific wartime missions that should be assigned to the Coast Guard.
Agency Affected: Department of Defense: Joint Chiefs of Staff
Status: Closed - Implemented
Comments: DOT has reached an agreement with the Navy concerning Coast Guard responsibilities in the Maritime Defense Zone. This has become an ongoing liaison to ensure that Coast Guard responsibilities in wartime are currently defined. Because the Maritime Defense Zone agreements are not attributable to this recommendation, an accomplishment report will not be prepared.
Recommendation: The Secretary of Transportation, in consultation with the Commandant of the Coast Guard and the Joint Chiefs of Staff, should reach agreement with the Secretary of the Navy on the specific wartime missions that should be assigned to the Coast Guard.
Agency Affected: Department of Defense: Department of the Navy
Status: Closed - Implemented
Comments: DOT has reached an agreement with the Navy concerning Coast Guard responsibilities in the Maritime Defense Zone. This has become an ongoing liaison to ensure that Coast Guard responsibilities in wartime are currently defined. Because Maritime Defense Zone agreements are not attributable to this recommendation, an accomplishment report will not be prepared.
Recommendation: The Secretary of Transportation, in consultation with the Commandant of the Coast Guard and the Joint Chiefs of Staff, should reach agreement with the Secretary of the Navy on the specific wartime missions that should be assigned to the Coast Guard.
Agency Affected: Department of Transportation
Status: Closed - Implemented
Comments: DOT has reached an agreement with the Navy concerning Coast Guard responsibilities in the Maritime Defense Zone. This has become an ongoing liaison to ensure that Coast Guard responsibilities in wartime are currently defined. Because the Maritime Defense Zone agreements are not attributable to this recommendation, an accomplishment report will not be prepared.
Recommendation: The Secretary of Transportation, in consultation with the Commandant of the Coast Guard and the Joint Chiefs of Staff, should reach agreement with the Secretary of the Navy on the specific wartime missions that should be assigned to the Coast Guard.
Agency Affected: Department of Transportation: United States Coast Guard
Status: Closed - Implemented
Comments: A working group, the National Security Affairs Emergency Mobilization Preparedness Board, has been established to address interagency mobilization and port responsibilities. The Coast Guard has placed emphasis on its Reserves and unit training and logistics needs. Because these efforts cannot be linked to this recommendation, no accomplishment report will be prepared.
Recommendation: The Secretary of Transportation should direct the Commandant of the Coast Guard to: (1) sponsor an interagency working group to fully resolve the coordination problems between the Coast Guard and other agencies with wartime and mobilization port responsibilities; (2) develop specific and reasonable, dependable sources to satisfy logistical support requirements for the Reserve at mobilization; and (3) emphasize Reserve training to ensure that mobilization training of individual reservists is maximized. Increased formal training should be provided to those rates (job specialties) for which adequate training is not provided through augmentation.
Agency Affected: Department of Defense: Joint Chiefs of Staff
Status: Closed - Implemented
Comments: A working group, the National Security Affairs Emergency Mobilization Preparedness Board, has been established to address interagency mobilization and port responsibilities. The Coast Guard has placed emphasis on its Reserves and unit training and logistics needs. Because these efforts cannot be linked with this recommendation, no accomplishment report will be prepared.
Recommendation: The Secretary of Transportation should direct the Commandant of the Coast Guard to: (1) sponsor an interagency working group to fully resolve the coordination problems between the Coast Guard and other agencies with wartime and mobilization port responsibilities; (2) develop specific and reasonable, dependable sources to satisfy logistical support requirements for the Reserve at mobilization; and (3) emphasize Reserve training to ensure that mobilization training of individual reservists is maximized. Increased formal training should be provided to those rates (job specialties) for which adequate training is not provided through augmentation.
Agency Affected: Department of Defense: Department of the Navy
Status: Closed - Implemented
Comments: A working group, the National Security Affairs Emergency Mobilization Preparedness Board, has been established to address interagency mobilization and port responsibilities. The Coast Guard has placed emphasis on its Reserves and unit training and logistics needs. Because these efforts cannot be linked with this recommendation, no accomplishment report will be prepared.
Recommendation: The Secretary of Transportation should direct the Commandant of the Coast Guard to: (1) sponsor an interagency working group to fully resolve the coordination problems between the Coast Guard and other agencies with wartime and mobilization port responsibilities; (2) develop specific and reasonable, dependable sources to satisfy logistical support requirements for the Reserve at mobilization; and (3) emphasize Reserve training to ensure that mobilization training of individual reservists is maximized. Increased formal training should be provided to those rates (job specialties) for which adequate training is not provided through augmentation.
Agency Affected: Department of Transportation
Status: Closed - Implemented
Comments: A working group, the National Security Affairs Emergency Mobilization Preparedness Board, has been established to address interagency mobilization and port responsibilities. The Coast Guard has placed emphasis on its Reserves and unit training and logistics needs. Because these efforts cannot be linked to this recommendation, no accomplishment report will be prepared.
Recommendation: The Secretary of Transportation should direct the Commandant of the Coast Guard to: (1) sponsor an interagency working group to fully resolve the coordination problems between the Coast Guard and other agencies with wartime and mobilization port responsibilities; (2) develop specific and reasonable, dependable sources to satisfy logistical support requirements for the Reserve at mobilization; and (3) emphasize Reserve training to ensure that mobilization training of individual reservists is maximized. Increased formal training should be provided to those rates (job specialties) for which adequate training is not provided through augmentation.
Agency Affected: Department of Transportation: United States Coast Guard
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