Recruiting Management in the United States Army Recruiting Command

GAO reviewed recruiting management in the U.S. Army Recruiting Command (USAREC). The audit was conducted at USAREC headquarters and Midwest Region Recruiting Command, and the Army Recruiting Districts. GAO reviewed pertinent records, interviewed management and recruiting officials, and observed the organizational structure.

The Army recently completed the most massive investigation of recruiter malpractice in its history. GAO believes that the investigation represented a reasonable, systematic effort to detect recruiters who violated regulations or procedures, particularly those recruiters who inappropriately assisted applicants on tests. The accuracy of the database and the methodology used to identify recruiters to be investigated had limitations. Whereas the inaccuracies in the database were, for the most part, beyond the control of the Army, the methodology may not have identified all violations. Nevertheless, it was an attempt to reach a reasonable balance between the need to identify violators and the need to minimize the demoralizing effects of placing large numbers of innocent recruiters under suspicion. GAO found some situations which, if unaddressed, could hamper effective recruiting operations. The areas in recruiting in which problems were noted include: (1) training of supervisory personnel; (2) coordination of management control systems; and (3) performance evaluations of management at district recruiting commands, area commands, and recruiting stations.