Military Personnel

The largest military drawdown since the end of the Vietnam War is now about 80 percent complete. By the end of fiscal year 1999, the Defense Department will have reduced its military and civilian personnel by almost a third. GAO found that despite these substantial cuts, the military services generally kept more than 95 percent of their authorized positions filled throughout the drawdown. They also maintained high fill rates for most ranks and kept more than 90 percent of authorized positions filled in most military categories. The major area of concern was a continuing shortage of field grade officers, especially in the Army, where fill rates generally hovered between 80 and 85 percent. In addition to discussing the extent to which the services were able to fill authorized positions, this report discusses the factors contributing to the personnel shortage at selected U.S. installations and units and the factors that could lead to personnel shortages in the future.

GAO found that: (1) the services have retained over 95 percent of their authorized positions despite major personnel reductions, maintained high fill rates for most ranks, and kept over 90 percent of authorized positions filled in a large majority of their military speciality categories; (2) there was a continuing shortage of field grade officers; (3) the drawdown directly contributed to some of the personnel shortages at some units and installations and led to multiple personnel transfers; (4) some officials permitted personnel in critical shortage categories to participate in early out programs due to concern that limiting participation would adversely affect morale; and (5) shortages not directly related to the drawdown could persist without changes in operating policies, procedures, and legislative requirements.