Military Attrition

This testimony summarizes GAO's recent report (GAO/NSIAD-97-39, Jan. 1997) on military attrition. GAO found that more than 14 percent of new recruits leave the military during their first six months, and more than 30 percent leave before the end of their first term. The main reasons for the high attrition rate during the first six months are the (1) inadequate screening of military applications for disqualifying medical conditions or drug use and (2) failure of recruits to perform adequately because they are in poor physical shape or they lack motivation. Although the military is very concerned about attrition, its goals for reducing attrition are based on inconsistent, incomplete data and are unrealistic. GAO estimates that the military could save as much as $39 million annually if it reduced these attrition rates.

GAO noted that: (1) more than 14 percent of new recruits leave the services during the first 6 months, and more than 30 percent leave before the end of their first term; (2) because of this attrition, the services lose a substantial investment in training, time, equipment, and related expenses and must increase accessions to replace these losses; (3) the main reasons for the high attrition rate during the first 6 months are that: (a) the services' screening of applicants for disqualifying medical conditions or preservice drug use is inadequate; and (b) recruits fail to perform adequately because they are in poor physical condition for basic training or lack motivation; (4) although the services are greatly concerned about attrition, their goals for reducing attrition are based on inconsistent, incomplete data and are unrealistic; and (5) if the services were to actually reach their goals, however, they would realize immediate short-term annual savings ranging from $5 million to $39 million.