Force Structure: Army's Support Requirements Process Lacks Valid and Consistent Data
NSIAD-95-43
Published: Jan 30, 1995. Publicly Released: Jan 30, 1995.
Skip to Highlights
Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the Army's Total Army Analysis (TAA) process, focusing on whether its results are based on valid logistical data assumptions.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of the Army | The Secretary of the Army should require the Combined Arms Support Command (CASCOM) to establish procedures that specify: (1) how major commands, Army component commands, and schools should validate and maintain data for the Army Force Planning Data and Assumptions document; and (2) what CASCOM will require to exercise its oversight responsibility. |
DOD concurred with this recommendation and has taken actions to implement it. Logistics planning factors and methodologies have been approved, and the logistics portion of AFPDA has been published in draft. CASCOM has developed procedures to improve the update process and has completed an accuracy review of the existing data and verified the source for each data element.
|
| Department of the Army | The Secretary of the Army should establish procedures and identify the differences in theater planning requirements and TAA requirements to ensure that there are valid reasons for differences or make adjustments to requirements. |
DOD disagreed with this recommendation. According to DOD officials, the theater planning requirements and TAA requirements are based on different periods of time, different budget levels, and different threats. TAA is a comprehensive process to build force structure and is open enough to allow significant deficiencies to be resolved well in advance of the use of operational plans created by the theater planning process.
|
Full Report
Public Inquiries
Topics
Armed forces abroadArmy personnelArmy suppliesForce structureCombat readinessData collectionData integrityDefense capabilitiesDefense contingency planningGround warfareLogistics