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Reserve Training: An Alternative to the Active Army Education Program for National Guard Technicians

NSIAD-88-164 Published: Jun 28, 1988. Publicly Released: Jun 28, 1988.
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Highlights

Pursuant to a legislative requirement, GAO examined the Military Education Program (MEP) for Army National Guard technicians to determine: (1) whether the Reserve Component Noncommissioned Officer (NCO) Education Program provided a viable alternative to MEP; (2) how participation in MEP affected technicians' readiness; and (3) how MEP affected technicians personally, including their leave and other benefits.

Recommendations

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Department of the Army The Secretary of the Army should ensure, through continued monitoring, that the remaining revisions to the Reserve Component Program are similar to those of MEP.
Closed – Implemented
The Assistant Secretary of Defense/Reserve Affairs has tasked the Secretary of the Army to conduct this monitoring. The Army has provided periodic progress reports to Defense and continues to develop reserve component configured courses. As of February 1991, nearly 100 percent of the Reserve Component Program has been configured to the MEP. Therefore, action is considered complete.
Department of the Army The Secretary of the Army should monitor and evaluate the implementation and administration of the Reserve Component Program by the National Guard's noncommissioned academies to ensure that effective training is provided.
Closed – Implemented
The Assistant Secretary of Defense/Reserve Affairs has tasked the Secretary of the Army to monitor and evaluate the implementation and administration of the Reserve Component Program. The Army's Reserve Component Training Development Action Plan incorporates this recommendation. Also, the National Guard Bureau has developed procedures for certifying reserve component instructors.
Department of the Army The Secretary of the Army should change the National Guard Bureau's policy of sending technicians to the active Army MEP, requiring them, whenever feasible, to attend the Reserve Component Program.
Closed – Implemented
The National Defense Authorization Act, FY 1989, stipulates that National Guard technicians shall receive training at National Guard academies, when available, rather than through the MEP. DOD stated action is complete for this recommendation.

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Topics

National Defense
Armed forces reserve trainingArmy reservistsCombat readinessEducation or training costsMilitary trainingNational GuardMilitary officersMilitary forcesSchoolsMilitary readiness