The Army Needs To Improve Individual Soldier Training in Its Units

In an attempt to reduce training costs and make training programs more specific, the Army has shifted its emphasis from the formal school environment to the operating unit and designated specific tasks to be taught at each level. Most training now takes place in Army units. Because of the growing concern about the training capability of the Army and the need to assess the fundamental policy changes of the training philosophy, GAO conducted a review of Army training. GAO reviewed the Army's individual skill training programs at 15 active units and administered questionnaires to soldiers throughout the Army.

Army trainers have been provided guidance which specifies what tasks soldiers must know as well as the performance conditions and standards for each task. However, the trainers are not teaching soldiers all tasks the Army considers critical for proper job performance and survival in combat. The Army has announced a series of programs designed to improve individual skill training effectiveness. GAO found that soldiers are not being fully trained because: (1) individual skill training does not receive enough emphasis at the battalion and company levels; (2) unit commanders do not take advantage of all available time to provide individual skill training; (3) aids specifically designed to enhance training are not used as extensively as they should be; (4) there is a shortage of experienced trainers; (5) personnel are constantly being rotated in and out of units; and (6) equipment, ammunition, and other training items often are not available for use in training. The Army should require specific and immediate action to improve unit level programs. The management oversight of training programs needs strengthening and the Army training philosophy should be evaluated.

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.

Director: Martin M. Ferber Team: General Accounting Office: Federal Personnel and Compensation Division Phone: (202) 275-5140