Review of the Cost and Operations of DOD's Service Academies

GAO discussed the cost and operations of the U.S. Military Academy, the U.S. Naval Academy, and the U.S. Air Force Academy. GAO found that: (1) despite the academies' similar organizational structures, personnel requirements, and education and training philosophies, they still had differences; (2) accreditation boards questioned the effectiveness of the predominantly military faculties at the Military and Air Force Academies; (3) the academies produced over 3,000 officers annually; (4) academy graduates tended to stay in the service longer than officers from other sources; (5) academy graduates made rank quicker and to higher levels than officers from other sources; and (6) costs at the Military and Air Force Academies were comparable, but lower at the Naval Academy. GAO also found that: (1) the academies' financial reports failed to include all costs directly related to their operations; and (2) the academies also excluded faculty training and preparatory school costs.