Improved Management of Computer Resources Needed To Enhance Marine Corps' Efficiency and Effectiveness

Many Marine Corps' administrative and tactical information processes have been automated and, consequently, whether at an established base or deployed at a remote location, depend on the availability of computer support.

The Corps has separate computer installations for its combat force and its service support units. Thus, it has acquired more computers than it needs and has developed separate systems for similar purposes. The availability of computer support has been impaired by fragmented management, lack of a comprehensive plan integrating administrative and tactical information needs, and a superficial determination of user requirements. Critical shortcomings were noted in the use of computer systems during emergency deployment. The expenditure of at least $8 million annually to operate separate force computer centers did not seem justified because the computers were not tested to meet the needs of deployment. Corrective actions initiated by the Corps in response to GAO recommendations were found to be generally consistent with these recommendations.

Recommendations

Our recommendations from this work are listed below with a Contact for more information. Status will change from "In process" to "Open," "Closed - implemented," or "Closed - not implemented" based on our follow up work.

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