Military Personnel
Status of Accession, Retention, and End Strength for Military Medical Officers and Preliminary Observations Regarding Accession and Retention Challenges Gao ID: GAO-09-469R April 16, 2009This correspondence formally transmits the briefing we prepared in response to Senate Report 110-335 accompanying the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009. The Senate Report required the Comptroller General to conduct an assessment of medical and dental personnel requirements of the Departments of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, including their reserve components. To satisfy this requirement, we previously provided to Congress on April 1, 2009 a copy of the draft briefing we sent to DOD for comment.
GAO-09-469R, Military Personnel: Status of Accession, Retention, and End Strength for Military Medical Officers and Preliminary Observations Regarding Accession and Retention Challenges
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GAO-09-469R:
United States Government Accountability Office:
Washington, DC 20548:
April 16, 2009:
Congressional Committees:
Subject: Military Personnel: Status of Accession, Retention, and End
Strength for Military Medical Officers and Preliminary Observations
Regarding Accession and Retention Challenges:
This letter formally transmits the briefing (enclosure I) we prepared
in response to Senate Report 110-335 accompanying the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009. The Senate Report required the
Comptroller General to conduct an assessment of medical and dental
personnel requirements of the Departments of the Army, Navy, and Air
Force, including their reserve components. To satisfy this requirement,
we previously provided you on April 1, 2009 a copy of the draft
briefing we sent to DOD for comment. DOD's comments are reprinted in
enclosure II.
We are also sending this letter and attached briefing to the Secretary
of Defense and the Secretaries of the Army, Navy, and Air Force. This
letter and briefing will also be available on our Web site at
[hyperlink, http://www.gao.gov]. Should you or your staff have any
questions concerning this product, please contact me at (202) 512-3604
or farrellb@gao.gov. Contact points for our Office of Congressional
Relations and Public Affairs may be found on the last page of the
briefing.
Signed by:
Brenda S. Farrell:
Director:
Defense Capabilities and Management:
Enclosures:
List of Committees:
The Honorable Carl Levin:
Chairman:
The Honorable John McCain:
Ranking Member:
Committee on Armed Services:
United States Senate:
The Honorable Daniel K. Inouye:
Chairman:
The Honorable Thad Cochran:
Ranking Member:
Subcommittee on Defense:
Committee on Appropriations:
United States Senate:
The Honorable Ike Skelton:
Chairman:
The Honorable John M. McHugh:
Ranking Member:
Committee on Armed Services:
House of Representatives:
The Honorable John P. Murtha:
Chairman:
The Honorable C.W. Bill Young:
Subcommittee on Defense:
Committee on Appropriations:
House of Representatives:
[End of section]
Enclosure I: Briefing for Congressional Committees:
Military Personnel: Status of Accession, Retention, and End Strength
for Military Medical Officers, and Preliminary Observations Regarding
Accession and Retention Challenges:
Briefing for Congressional Committees:
April 16, 2009:
Overview:
* Introduction;
* Background;
* Objectives;
* Scope and Methodology;
* Preliminary Observations;
* Agency Comments and Our Evaluation;
* Appendixes.
Introduction:
Military medical professionals are in demand, and the Department of
Defense (DOD) is experiencing shortfalls in physician, dental, nurse,
and other medical officers.
The Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) report accompanying the
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 directed the
Comptroller General to report by April 1, 2009, to the congressional
defense committees on a study of medical and dental personnel
requirements for the Army, Navy, and Air Force, including their reserve
components, to meet their medical missions.
Specifically, the SASC directed the Comptroller General to evaluate
medical workforce planning efforts throughout DOD to determine those
medical specialties that have experienced the largest gaps between
identified needs and fill rates; challenges that hinder the achievement
of medical personnel goals; and the plans to resolve medical personnel
shortfalls.
In addition, in a subsequent meeting with SASC staff, they clarified the
committee‘s needs and emphasized that we should also examine data from
each of the services to determine whether they met their recruiting and
retention goals and to identify service organizations that have
responsibility for recruitment and retention. We agreed to provide our
preliminary observations by April 1, 2009, and our final report during
fall 2009.
Background:
Accession refers to the military services‘ bringing medical officers
[Footnote 1] into the military to carry out mission-essential tasks.
Active and reserve components set accession goals and strive to meet
them through financial incentives, programs, and advertising.
Recruiting refers to the services‘ acquiring medical students who will
later be accessed upon completion of their medical education.
* The services‘ active components recruit medical students into the
Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP). The HPSP
creates a pipeline of medical officers, and over half of physician and
dental accessions come from this program.
- The HPSP provides tuition payments, stipends, and reimbursement for
other expenses to qualified medical students in return for an active
duty obligation.
- While the majority of graduates of the HPSP are commissioned into
active duty service to complete their graduate medical education
(residency), some portion will complete their graduate medical
education in civilian training programs and enter active duty upon
completion.
* The active and reserve components also offer direct accessions to
fully trained medical professionals interested in military service.
Retention refers to the military services retaining servicemembers with
the necessary skills and experience.
Congress annually authorizes the number of personnel that each service
may have at the end of a given fiscal year.
* This number is known as authorized end strength.
* End strength represents the actual number of personnel on board at
the end of a fiscal year.
Based on the statutory authorizations, DOD and the services establish
annual year-end authorized personnel levels for various medical
occupations. The services group their occupations for health
professional officers[Footnote 2] into the following categories: Medical
Corps, Dental Corps, Nurse Corps, Medical Service Corps, Medical
Specialist Corps, Biomedical Science Corps, Veterinary Corps, and Warrant
Officers. For the purposes of our report, we used the term ’physicians“
for the Medical Corps, ’dentists“ for the Dental Corps, and ’nurses“
for the Nurse Corps. We used the term ’other medical officers“ for the
Medical Service Corps, Medical Specialist Corps, Biomedical Science
Corps, Veterinary Corps, and Warrant Officers.
To meet and maintain authorized personnel levels, the services must
balance accessions and retention.
Objectives:
Our objectives were to answer the following questions:
1. How is DOD organized to recruit medical students and access medical
officers across the military services?
2. To what extent did the active and reserve components meet their
annual accession goals for medical officers in fiscal years 2001
through 2008?
3. To what extent did the active and reserve components retain medical
officers in fiscal years 2001 through 2008?
4. To what extent did the active and reserve components meet their
annual authorizations for medical officers in fiscal years 2001 through
2008?
5. What challenges, if any, have the military services faced in their
accession and retention of medical officers, and what plans have they
developed to address those challenges?
Scope and Methodology:
We reviewed data and information from the three active components – the
Army, the Navy (which provides medical care for Marine Corps
servicemembers and their beneficiaries), and the Air Force – and the
five reserve components – the Army Reserve, the Army National Guard,
the Navy Reserve, the Air Force Reserve, and the Air National Guard.
These components are responsible for providing military officers to
meet DOD‘s medical mission.
We reviewed DOD and service policies and instructions related to the
accession and retention of military medical officers, and interviewed
military and civilian officials at the Office of the Secretary of
Defense Health Affairs, Offices of the Surgeons General, and service
recruiting officials. We examined data from the Defense Manpower Data
Center and the services to determine the extent to which the active and
reserve components met their annual accession goals, retention goals,
and authorizations for fiscal years 2001 through 2008, when available.
We also reviewed relevant documents and reports from DOD, the services,
and GAO, and interviewed cognizant officials from DOD and the services
to determine the challenges the military services faced in accessing
and retaining medical officers and the plans they developed to address
those challenges. Appendix I provides a more detailed discussion of our
scope and methodology.
We conducted this performance audit from July 2008 through March 2009
in accordance with generally accepted government auditing standards.
Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
sufficient, appropriate evidence to provide a reasonable basis for our
findings and conclusions based on our audit objectives. We believe that
the evidence obtained provides a reasonable basis for our findings and
conclusions based on our audit objectives.
Preliminary Observations: Objective 1: DOD‘s Organization:
There is no joint DOD unit or process dedicated to recruiting medical
students and accessing medical officers, because recruiting and
retention are the responsibility of the services.
Each military service has its own organizational structure,
responsibilities, and varying degrees of personnel resources.
The Army has one medical recruiting brigade for the active Army and the
Army Reserve. The brigade is comprised of five medical recruiting
battalions geographically dispersed throughout the country. The five
battalions are comprised of 16 medical recruiting companies.
The Army National Guard accesses medical officers on a state-by-state
basis, which differs from the active Army and Army Reserve. While each
state has personnel qualified to access medical officers, only two
states have recruiters who focus solely on accessing these officers.
The Navy has a recruiting command for its active and reserve
components. The command covers the entire country with 26 Navy
Recruiting Districts that are divided into and commanded by two
different Navy Recruiting Regions, which employ over 5,300 active and
reserve recruiters. However, only about 40 servicemembers recruit and
access medical officers.
The Air Force has separate recruiting services for both active duty and
reserve components. The active Air Force has 24 recruiting units
dedicated to recruiting and accessing active duty medical officers. The
Air Force Reserve Recruiting Service does not have any units
specifically dedicated to medical personnel. Further, the Air National
Guard accesses medical officers on a state-by-state basis, but it
dedicates personnel resources specifically to accessing these officers
in one state.
Officials from each of the services stated that their recruiting
organizations communicate with their respective Surgeon General Offices
for various reasons, such as to obtain medical personnel goals and
information regarding incentive and bonus programs.
The service recruiting organizations periodically collaborate with each
other through formal and informal meetings to discuss best recruiting
practices and other related issues.
The services‘ Manpower and Reserve Affairs offices provide oversight and
develop policies for manpower issues, such as recruiting.
Figure 1 shows DOD‘s organizational framework and the relationships
among DOD and the service organizations.
Figure 1: DOD's Organization to Recruit and Access Medical Officers[A]:
[Refer to PDF for image: organizational chart]
Secretary of Defense:
Joint Chiefs of Staff:
* Chief, National Guard Bureau;
- Army National Guard;
- Air National Guard;
Secretary of the Army:
* Army Chief of Staff:
- Army Training and Doctrine Command;
- Army Accessions Command;
- Army Recruiting Command (Line of communication with Army Surgeon
General);
- Army Brigades (8) (includes Medical Recruiting Brigade);
- Battalions (38) (includes 5 Medical Recruiting Battalions);
- Recruiting Companies (245) (includes 16 Medical Recruiting
Companies);
- Recruiting Stations (1,600+) (includes 86 Medical Recruiting
Stations);
* Army Surgeon General;
- Army Medical Command (includes all medical corps) (Line of
communication with Army Recruiting Command).
Secretary of the Navy:
* Chief of Naval Operations;
- Navy Personnel Command;
- Navy Recruiting Command (Line of communication with Navy Surgeon
General);
- Regional Recruiting Commands (2);
- Recruiting Districts (26)
- Recruiting Zones;
- Recruiting Stations (1,500).
* Navy Surgeon General (Line of communication with Navy Recruiting
Command);
- Bureau of Medicine and Surgery (includes all medical corps).
Secretary of the Air Force:
* Air Force Chief of Staff:
- Air Education and Training Command;
- Air Force Recruiting Service (Line of communication with Air Force
Surgeon General);
- Recruiting Groups (3);
- Flights (includes 24 health professions flights);
- Recruiting Squadrons (24);
* Air Force Reserve Command;
- Air Force Reserve Recruiting Service (Line of communication with Air
Force Surgeon General);
- Recruiting Squadrons (3);
- Recruiting Flights;
* Air Force Surgeon General (Line of communication with Air Force
Recruiting Service and Air Force Reserve Recruiting Service);
- Air Force Medical Service (includes all medical corps).
Source: GAO analysis of DOD information.
Note: For the purpose of clarity, several intermediate organizations
are not included in this chart.
[A] The Army National Guard and the Air National Guard recruit medical
personnel at the state level, separate from the active and reserve.
[End of figure]
Preliminary Observations: Objective 2: Accessions:
The eight active and reserve components did not always meet their
annual accession goals for medical officers in fiscal years 2001
through 2008.[Footnote 3]
* Over the 8-year time period, each component met or exceeded its
annual accession goals for medical officers for several years.
* Each active component met or exceeded its HPSP goal for the majority
of years in the time period. However, no active and reserve component
met its direct accession goals for the majority of years in the time
period.
- For the fiscal year 2001 through 2008 period, the components did not
meet most of their HPSP and direct accession goals for physicians.
- For the fiscal year 2001 through 2008 period, the components met most
of their HPSP goals, but did not meet most of their direct accession
goals for dentists.
- For the fiscal year 2001 through 2008 period, the components did not
meet most of their direct accession goals for nurses.[Footnote 4]
- For the fiscal year 2001 through 2008 period, the components met most
of their HPSP and direct accession goals for other medical officers.
* Appendix II provides more detailed information on the medical
accession goals by category of medical officer for each service
component.
Preliminary Observations: Objective 3: Retention:
For fiscal years 2001 through 2008, the eight services' active and
reserve[Footnote 5] components retained a majority of their respective
physician, dental, nurse, and other medical officers annually.[Footnote
6] However, according to a senior official in the Office of the
Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, retention rates are
not a major factor in the development of officer accession goals.
* We found that the services' retention rates were between 77 percent
and 95 percent.[Footnote 7]
- For active component physicians, annual retention rates were between
87 percent and 92 percent; for reserve component physicians, from 77
percent to 93 percent.
- For active component dentists, annual retention rates were between 82
percent and 91 percent; for reserve component dentists, from 78 percent
to 94 percent.
- For active component nurses, annual retention rates were between 87
percent and 94 percent; for reserve component nurses, from 80 percent
to 94 percent.
- For active component other medical officers, annual retention rates
were from 84 percent to 95 percent; for reserve component other medical
officers, from 77 percent to 94 percent.
* Appendix III provides more detailed information on annual retention
results by category of medical officers for each component.
Preliminary Observations: Objective 4: End Strength:
The military services‘ eight active and reserve[Footnote 8] components
did not always meet their annual authorizations for physicians,
dentists, nurses, and other medical officers in fiscal years 2001
through 2008.[Footnote 9]
* For example, while each service‘s active component nurses had end
strengths below their authorized levels for every year during this time
period, each service‘s reserve component nurses had end strengths above
their authorized levels at least 1 year during this time period.
* Appendix IV provides more detailed information on the medical officer
authorizations for each component by medical officer category.
Further, we found that, specifically for fiscal years 2005 through
2007, the eight active and reserve components were consistently below
their annual medical specialty authorizations within each of the four
medical officer categories, with one exception”Air National Guard
dentists.[Footnote 10]
Physicians:
* The active Army was consistently below its authorizations in 6
physician specialties: Family Practice, Urology, Radiology, Psychiatry,
Anesthesiology, and Neurological Surgery.
* The active Navy was consistently below its authorizations in 7
physician specialties, including: Family Practice, Radiology,
Allergy/Immunology, and Cardiac/Thoracic Surgery.
* The active Air Force was consistently below its authorizations in 13
physician specialties, including: Allergy/Immunology, Pulmonary Disease,
Gastroenterology, Cardiology/Cardiovascular, Infectious Disease, and
Urology.
* The Army Reserve was consistently below its authorizations in 8
physician specialties, including: Anesthesiology, Cardiac/Thoracic
Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery, and Pulmonary Disease.
* The Army National Guard was consistently below its authorizations in
2 physician specialties, including General Medicine.
* The Navy Reserve was consistently below its authorizations in 13
physician specialties, including: Anesthesiology, Orthopedic Surgery,
Cardiology/Cardiovascular, Gastroenterology, and Infectious Disease.
* The Air Force Reserve was consistently below its authorizations in 5
physician specialties, including: Anesthesiology, General Surgery, and
Orthopedic Surgery.
* The Air National Guard was consistently below its authorizations in 4
physician specialties, including: Internal Medicine and Orthopedic
Surgery.
Dentists:
* The active Army was consistently below its authorizations in 5 dental
specialties, including: Orthodontics, Pedodontics, and Oral
Pathology/Diagnosis.
* The active Navy was consistently below its authorizations in
Prosthodontics.
* The active Air Force was consistently below its authorizations in 3
dental specialties, including: General Dentistry and Prosthodontics.
* The Army Reserve was consistently below its authorizations in 4
dental specialties, including: Oral Maxillofacial Surgery,
Prosthodontics, and Public Health Dentistry.
* The Army National Guard was consistently below its authorizations in
General Dentistry.
* The Navy Reserve was consistently below its authorizations in 2
dental specialties: General Dentistry and Oral Maxillofacial Surgery.
* The Air Force Reserve was consistently below its authorizations in
General Dentistry.
* The Air National Guard consistently met its authorizations in its
dental specialties.
Nurses:
* The active Army was consistently below its authorizations in 4 nursing
specialties, including: Critical Care Nurse, Operating Room Nurse, and
Nurse Anesthetist.
* The active Navy was consistently below its authorizations in 4 nursing
specialties, including: Critical Care Nurse and Operating Room Nurse.
* The active Air Force was consistently below its authorizations in 2
nursing specialties: Flight Nurse and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Nurse.
* The Army Reserve was consistently below its authorizations in the
Family Nurse Practitioner specialty.
* The Army National Guard was consistently below its authorizations in
the Medical/Surgical Nurse specialty.
* The Navy Reserve was consistently below its authorizations in 5
nursing specialties, including: Operating Room Nurse and Mental Health
Nurse.
* The Air Force Reserve was consistently below its authorizations in 3
nursing specialties, including: Flight Nurse and Mental Health Nurse.
* The Air National Guard was consistently below its authorizations in
the Flight Nurse specialty.
Other Medical Officers:
* The active Army was consistently below its authorizations in 5 other
medical officer specialties, including: Psychology, Physician
Assistant, and Pharmacy.
* The active Navy was consistently below its authorizations in 3 other
medical officer specialties, including: Psychology and Environmental
Health.
* The active Air Force was consistently below its authorizations in 8
other medical officer specialties, including: Psychology, Social
Worker, and Environmental Health.
* The Army Reserve was consistently below its authorizations in 4 other
medical officer specialties: Entomology, Optometry, Psychology, and
Veterinary.
* The Army National Guard was consistently below its authorizations in
5 other medical officer specialties, including: Psychology, Nuclear
Medical Science, and Optometry.
* The Navy Reserve was consistently below its authorizations in the
Health Services Administration specialty.
* The Air Force Reserve was consistently below its authorizations in
Environmental Health.
* The Air National Guard was consistently below its authorizations in 3
other medical officer specialties: Environmental Health, Optometry, and
Pharmacy.
* Appendix V provides a complete listing of all medical specialties
consistently below their authorizations for fiscal years 2005 through
2007 for each component.
Preliminary Observations: Objective 5: Challenges and Plans:
DOD and service officials stated that it is difficult to access and
retain medical officers for a variety of reasons, including:
* the limited supply of, and high demand for, qualified professionals;
* the lower pay generally offered by the military than by the private
sector;
* the stresses of deployment, and length and frequency of deployments;
* solo practitioners are generally reluctant to sell their practices to
enter the military;
* length of time they are required to commit to staying in the service;
and;
* medical schools accepting larger numbers of foreign students who are
often prohibited from serving in the U.S. armed services.
To address these challenges, the military services have a variety of
plans, including pay incentives such as accession bonuses, scholarship
programs, special pays, loan repayment programs, and retention bonuses.
Examples of specific plans include the following:
* To address the challenge of recruiting nurses, Navy Recruiting
Command officials stated that they have dedicated 22 nurses to recruit
medical personnel and offered up to a $30,000 accession bonus. The
accession bonuses helped the active Navy meet its recruiting goals in
fiscal years 2007 and 2008.
* In September 2008, the Army Office of the Surgeon General directed
the Army Recruiting Command to implement the Officer Accession Pilot
Program for the active Army and Army Reserve. The program allows fully
qualified medical professionals between the ages of 43 and 60 to join
the Army with a 2-year initial service obligation.[Footnote 11]
* In November 2008, the Secretary of Defense approved a pilot program
that allows for the recruitment of legal, nonimmigrant aliens on a case-
by-case basis, to fill over 300 medical specialties that have a
critical shortfall. The pilot program remains in effect through
December 2009.
DOD noted in comments to a draft of this briefing that the Assistant
Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs biennially publishes a list of
critical officer skills that governs eligibility for all reserve
component incentive programs. In the past, these programs were
restricted to skills filled below 80 percent. However, the services
have requested authorization to maintain incentives for skills filled
above 80 percent but still require the incentives to maintain
appropriate personnel levels.
Agency Comments and Our Evaluation:
We provided our draft briefing to DOD for comment, and the department
generally concurred with the facts presented (see enclosure II).
* One of the technical comments we received dealt with how DOD
addresses critical medical personnel shortages for the reserve
components. In response to this comment, we added information about how
the services have plans to maintain appropriate personnel levels in
critical skills by using incentives.
* In another technical comment, DOD suggested we use a different source
to identify authorized levels of Army physicians and dentists for
fiscal years 2001 and 2002. To address DOD‘s comment, we specifically
identified the DOD source for the data. We changed the reported
authorized levels where appropriate and where we did not make the
change, we noted our reason.
DOD also provided other technical comments, which we incorporated as
appropriate.
GAO Contact and Acknowledgements:
Should you or your staff have any questions on the matters discussed in
this briefing, please contact Brenda S. Farrell at (202) 512-3604 or
farrellb@gao.gov.
Key contributors to this report were Deborah Yarborough, Assistant
Director; Rebecca S. Beale; Chaneé Gaskin; Cynthia Grant; Nicole Harms;
Randy Neice; Stephanie Santoso; and Cheryl Weissman.
[End of section]
Appendix I: Scope and Methodology:
To determine how the Department of Defense (DOD) is organized to recruit
medical students and access medical officers across the military
services, we:
* obtained and reviewed DOD documents on policies and instructions from
the active and reserve component organizations to understand the
organizational structures, the responsibilities within the services‘
recruiting organizations, and the level of personnel resources
dedicated to medical officers;
* interviewed service officials who performed recruiting activities for
the Army Recruiting Command, the Navy Recruiting Command, the Air
Force Recruiting Service, the Air Force Reserve Recruiting Service,
the Army National Guard, and the Air National Guard to discuss their
roles and responsibilities and the overall organizational structure;
and;
* interviewed senior civilian and military officials at the Office of
the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs to gain their
perspectives on how the services recruit medical students and access
medical officers.
To determine the extent to which the active and reserve components met
their annual accession goals for medical officers in fiscal years 2001
through 2008, we:
* obtained scholarship award and accession data, as available, from the
services, and we compared the data with the services‘ goals.
Specifically, we examined scholarship award goals for the Armed Forces
Health Professions Scholarship Program to identify how the services
recruited medical students as they complete their graduate medical
education;
* reviewed data for direct accessions, which measured the ability of
the services to access fully qualified medical officers;
* calculated the percentage of scholarship award goals attained for the
Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship Program and the percentage
of fully qualified medical officer accessions that were met for each
year by four medical categories: ’physicians“ for the Medical Corps,
’dentists“ for the Dental Corps, ’nurses“ for the Nurse Corps, and
’other medical officers“ to refer to the Medical Service Corps, Medical
Specialist Corps, Biomedical Science Corps, Veterinary Corps, and
Warrant Officers; and;
* assessed the reliability of the services‘ data by reviewing relevant
documentation related to the service-specific databases and
interviewing the appropriate service officials who maintain the data.
To determine the extent to which the active and reserve[Footnote 12]
components retained medical officers in fiscal years 2001 through 2008,
we:
* reviewed data in Health Manpower Statistics reports, which contained
information about the numbers of medical officers who joined or left the
services and are published by the Defense Manpower Data Center, and
found that the data were sufficiently reliable for the purposes of this
report,
* calculated retention rates for the active and reserve components
since we used the departmentwide data instead of service-specific data
to facilitate an across-the-service analysis of retention rates.
Therefore, we did not calculate attrition rates for the reserve
components even though the reserve components commonly use attrition
rates to manage their manpower and report the numbers of servicemembers
who left the military services, and: To calculate the percentage of
medical officers retained by each category, we:
- subtracted the number of officers who left the services for a given
fiscal year from the beginning strength2 for that fiscal year[Footnote
13;
- divided the difference from our calculation by the beginning strength
for that fiscal year. By using this departmentwide data, we did not
have service-specific retention levels at which medical officer
occupational specialties are considered critically short. Therefore, we
could not determine whether any of the rates indicated that shortages
in particular specialties were considered critical;
* interviewed an Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs
senior official who confirmed that our use of the Health Manpower
Statistics report is appropriate because it provides consistent
information about medical personnel.
Our review did not address how medical officers were affected by stop
loss authority, if at all. Stop loss authority is provided by 10 U.S.C.
§12305. It authorizes the President to suspend any provision of law
relating to the promotion, retirement, or separation of any member of
the armed forces when members of a reserve component are called to
active duty and the President determines the forces are essential to
the national security of the United States.
To determine the extent to which the active and reserve[Footnote 14]
components met their annual authorizations for medical officers in
fiscal years 2001 through 2008, we did the following:
* We interviewed officials from the Defense Manpower Data Center and
from the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health
Affairs to determine what data source would be most appropriate to
answer our objective. Based on these meetings, we determined that the
Health Manpower Statistics report,[Footnote 15] which is published by
the Defense Manpower Data Center using information compiled by the
Health Manpower Personnel Data System, offered the most consistent and
complete data.[Footnote 16] The Health Manpower Personnel Data System
reports authorizations[Footnote 17] and end strengths[Footnote 18] for
military medical officers at the corps level and the specialty level,
such as cardiac surgeons, orthodontists, flight nurses, and
psychologists.
* Using Health Manpower Personnel Data System data from fiscal years
2001 through 2007, we compared the authorizations with the end
strengths to determine the extent to which each of the four categories
was above or below its authorized levels. In our analysis, if a
component had one officer more than its authorization, we considered the
category to be above its authorized level. Similarly, if a component
had one officer fewer than its authorization, we considered the
category to be below its authorized level.
* We compared specialty authorizations with specialty-level end
strengths to identify those specialties that were consistently below
their authorized levels. We considered an occupational specialty to be
below authorizations if a component had one officer fewer than its
authorization. If an occupational specialty was below its
authorizations in each fiscal year between 2005 and 2007, we considered
the occupational specialty to be consistently below its authorized
level. Since the Health Manpower Personnel Data System data for the
occupational specialty end strengths do not indicate whether the
medical officers were employed in that specialty on a full-time basis,
we contacted the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for
Health Affairs and appropriate service officials to verify our analysis
of the specialties that were consistently below their authorizations.
* We assessed the reliability of the data by reviewing relevant
documentation related to the Defense Manpower Data Center database and
interviewing the appropriate service officials who maintain the data.
We found the data for fiscal years 2001 through 2008 to be sufficiently
reliable for the purposes of this report.
To determine the challenges the military services faced in accessing and
retaining medical officers and the plans they developed to address those
challenges, we:
* obtained and reviewed relevant DOD and service policies and
instructions, DOD reports, and studies from the appropriate DOD and
service officials;
* reviewed relevant GAO reports related to accession and retention;
and;
* interviewed civilian and military officials at the Office of the
Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs; the Office of Program
Analysis and Evaluation; the National Guard Bureau; the recruiting
organizations for the Army, the Navy, the Air Force, the Army
National Guard, the Air National Guard, the Air Force Reserve; and
the Offices of the Surgeons General for the Army, the Navy, and the
Air Force to obtain their perspectives about the accession and
retention challenges and plans to address these challenges.
We conducted this performance audit from July 2008 through March 2009
in accordance with generally accepted government auditing standards.
Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
sufficient, appropriate evidence to provide a reasonable basis for our
findings and conclusions based on our audit objectives. We believe that
the evidence obtained provides a reasonable basis for our findings and
conclusions based on our audit objectives.
[End of appendix]
Appendix II: Accessions:
Table 1: Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship Goals Met by the
Services for Active Duty Physicians, Fiscal Years 2001 through 2008:
Fiscal year: 2001;
Army: Goal: 270;
Army: Achieved: 271;
Army: Percentage of goal met: 100.4;
Army: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: 0.4;
Navy: Goal: 300;
Navy: Achieved: 300;
Navy: Percentage of goal met: 100.0;
Navy: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: 0.0.
Fiscal year: 2002;
Army: Goal: 318;
Army: Achieved: 326;
Army: Percentage of goal met: 102.5;
Army: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: 2.5;
Navy: Goal: 362;
Navy: Achieved: 346;
Navy: Percentage of goal met: 95.6;
Navy: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: -4.4.
Fiscal year: 2003;
Army: Goal: 284;
Army: Achieved: 319;
Army: Percentage of goal met: 112.3;
Army: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: 12.3;
Navy: Goal: 290;
Navy: Achieved: 289;
Navy: Percentage of goal met: 99.7;
Navy: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: -0.3.
Fiscal year: 2004;
Army: Goal: 292;
Army: Achieved: 294;
Army: Percentage of goal met: 100.7;
Army: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: 0.7;
Navy: Goal: 265;
Navy: Achieved: 232;
Navy: Percentage of goal met: 87.5;
Navy: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: -12.5;
Air Force[A]: Goal: 211;
Air Force[A]: Achieved: 213;
Air Force[A]: Percentage of goal met: 100.9;
Air Force[A]: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: 0.9.
Fiscal year: 2005;
Army: Goal: 307;
Army: Achieved: 237;
Army: Percentage of goal met: 77.2;
Army: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: -22.8;
Navy: Goal: 291;
Navy: Achieved: 162;
Navy: Percentage of goal met: 55.7;
Navy: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: -44.3;
Air Force[A]: Goal: 191;
Air Force[A]: Achieved: 220;
Air Force[A]: Percentage of goal met: 115.2;
Air Force[A]: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: 15.2.
Fiscal year: 2006;
Army: Goal: 295;
Army: Achieved: 223;
Army: Percentage of goal met: 75.6;
Army: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: -24.4;
Navy: Goal: 300;
Navy: Achieved: 199;
Navy: Percentage of goal met: 66.3;
Navy: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: -33.7;
Air Force[A]: Goal: 191;
Air Force[A]: Achieved: 197;
Air Force[A]: Percentage of goal met: 103.1;
Air Force[A]: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: 3.1.
Fiscal year: 2007;
Army: Goal: 295;
Army: Achieved: 235;
Army: Percentage of goal met: 79.7;
Army: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: -20.3;
Navy: Goal: 290;
Navy: Achieved: 181;
Navy: Percentage of goal met: 62.4;
Navy: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: -37.6;
Air Force[A]: Goal: 223;
Air Force[A]: Achieved: 211;
Air Force[A]: Percentage of goal met: 94.6;
Air Force[A]: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: -5.4.
Fiscal year: 2008;
Army: Goal: 360;
Army: Achieved: 357;
Army: Percentage of goal met: 99.2;
Army: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: -0.8;
Navy: Goal: 225;
Navy: Achieved: 225;
Navy: Percentage of goal met: 100.0;
Navy: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: 0;
Air Force[A]: Goal: 261;
Air Force[A]: Achieved: 262;
Air Force[A]: Percentage of goal met: 100.4;
Air Force[A]: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: 0.4.
Source: GAO analysis on service data.
Notes: The services set their goals for awarding the Armed Forces
Health Professions Scholarship Program based on their needs for fully
trained medical professionals in the future.
[A] Due to a system change, the active Air Force was unable to provide
data for fiscal years 2001 through 2003.
[End of table]
Table 2: Direct Accession Goals Met by the Services for Active Duty
Physicians, Fiscal Years 2001 through 2008:
Fiscal year: 2001;
Army: Goal: 40;
Army: Achieved: 30;
Army: Percentage of goal met: 75;
Army: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: -25;
Navy: Goal: 20;
Navy: Achieved: 18;
Navy: Percentage of goal met: 90.0;
Navy: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: -10.0.
Fiscal year: 2002;
Army: Goal: 45;
Army: Achieved: 47;
Army: Percentage of goal met: 104.4;
Army: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: 4.4;
Navy: Goal: 15;
Navy: Achieved: 16;
Navy: Percentage of goal met: 106.7;
Navy: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: 6.7.
Fiscal year: 2003;
Army: Goal: 45;
Army: Achieved: 47;
Army: Percentage of goal met: 14.4;
Army: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: 4.4;
Navy: Goal: 12;
Navy: Achieved: 9;
Navy: Percentage of goal met: 75;
Navy: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: -25.
Fiscal year: 2004;
Army: Goal: 40;
Army: Achieved: 40;
Army: Percentage of goal met: 100;
Army: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: 0;
Navy: Goal: 15;
Navy: Achieved: 10;
Navy: Percentage of goal met: 66.7;
Navy: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: -33.3;
Air Force[A]: Goal: 280;
Air Force[A]: Achieved: 41;
Air Force[A]: Percentage of goal met: 14.6;
Air Force[A]: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: -95.4.
Fiscal year: 2005;
Army: Goal: 40;
Army: Achieved: 36;
Army: Percentage of goal met: 90;
Army: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: -10;
Navy: Goal: 14;
Navy: Achieved: 14;
Navy: Percentage of goal met: 100;
Navy: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: 0;
Air Force[A]: Goal: 204;
Air Force[A]: Achieved: 29;
Air Force[A]: Percentage of goal met: 14.2;
Air Force[A]: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: -85.8.
Fiscal year: 2006;
Army: Goal: 40;
Army: Achieved: 27;
Army: Percentage of goal met: 67.5;
Army: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: -32.5;
Navy: Goal: 15;
Navy: Achieved: 10;
Navy: Percentage of goal met: 66.7;
Navy: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: -33.3;
Air Force[A]: Goal: 341;
Air Force[A]: Achieved: 32;
Air Force[A]: Percentage of goal met: 9.4;
Air Force[A]: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: -90.6.
Fiscal year: 2007;
Army: Goal: 40;
Army: Achieved: 25;
Army: Percentage of goal met: 62.5;
Army: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: -37.5;
Navy: Goal: 9;
Navy: Achieved: 9;
Navy: Percentage of goal met: 100;
Navy: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: 0;
Air Force[A]: Goal: 358;
Air Force[A]: Achieved: 36;
Air Force[A]: Percentage of goal met: 10.1;
Air Force[A]: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: -89.9.
Fiscal year: 2008;
Army: Goal: 60;
Army: Achieved: 20;
Army: Percentage of goal met: 33.3;
Army: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: -66.7;
Navy: Goal: 25;
Navy: Achieved: 12;
Navy: Percentage of goal met: 80.0;
Navy: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: -20;
Air Force[A]: Goal: 154;
Air Force[A]: Achieved: 14;
Air Force[A]: Percentage of goal met: 9.1;
Air Force[A]: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: -90.9.
Source: GAO analysis on service data.
[A] Due to a system change, the active Air Force was unable to provide
data for fiscal years 2001 through 2003.
[End of table]
Table 3: Direct Accession Goals Met for Reserve Component Physicians,
Fiscal Years 2001 through 2008:
Fiscal year: 2001;
Army Reserve: Goal: 404;
Army Reserve: Achieved: 281;
Army Reserve: Percentage of goal met: 69.7;
Army National Guard[A]: Goal: [Empty];
Army National Guard[A]: Achieved: 24;
Army National Guard[A]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Navy Reserve: Goal: 135;
Navy Reserve: Achieved: 123;
Navy Reserve: Percentage of goal met: 91.1;
Air Force Reserve[B]: Goal: [Empty];
Air Force Reserve[B]: Achieved: 131;
Air Force Reserve[B]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Air National Guard[C]: Goal: [Empty];
Air National Guard[C]: Achieved: 30;
Air National Guard[C]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Fiscal year: 2002;
Army Reserve: Goal: 395;
Army Reserve: Achieved: 366;
Army Reserve: Percentage of goal met: 92.7;
Army National Guard[A]: Goal: [Empty];
Army National Guard[A]: Achieved: 30;
Army National Guard[A]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Navy Reserve: Goal: 145;
Navy Reserve: Achieved: 119;
Navy Reserve: Percentage of goal met: 82.1;
Air Force Reserve[B]: Goal: [Empty];
Air Force Reserve[B]: Achieved: 108;
Air Force Reserve[B]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Air National Guard[C]: Goal: [Empty];
Air National Guard[C]: Achieved: 41;
Air National Guard[C]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Fiscal year: 2003;
Army Reserve: Goal: 215;
Army Reserve: Achieved: 139;
Army Reserve: Percentage of goal met: 64.7;
Army National Guard[A]: Goal: [Empty];
Army National Guard[A]: Achieved: 34;
Army National Guard[A]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Navy Reserve: Goal: 153;
Navy Reserve: Achieved: 145;
Navy Reserve: Percentage of goal met: 94.8;
Air Force Reserve[B]: Goal: [Empty];
Air Force Reserve[B]: Achieved: 113;
Air Force Reserve[B]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Air National Guard[C]: Goal: [Empty];
Air National Guard[C]: Achieved: 39;
Air National Guard[C]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Fiscal year: 2004;
Army Reserve: Goal: 204;
Army Reserve: Achieved: 97;
Army Reserve: Percentage of goal met: 47.5;
Army National Guard[A]: Goal: [Empty];
Army National Guard[A]: Achieved: 23;
Army National Guard[A]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Navy Reserve: Goal: 124;
Navy Reserve: Achieved: 72;
Navy Reserve: Percentage of goal met: 58.1;
Air Force Reserve[B]: Goal: [Empty];
Air Force Reserve[B]: Achieved: 101;
Air Force Reserve[B]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Air National Guard[C]: Goal: [Empty];
Air National Guard[C]: Achieved: 35;
Air National Guard[C]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Fiscal year: 2005;
Army Reserve: Goal: 201;
Army Reserve: Achieved: 89;
Army Reserve: Percentage of goal met: 44.3;
Army National Guard[A]: Goal: [Empty];
Army National Guard[A]: Achieved: 22;
Army National Guard[A]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Navy Reserve: Goal: 81;
Navy Reserve: Achieved: 45;
Navy Reserve: Percentage of goal met: 60.5;
Air Force Reserve[B]: Goal: [Empty];
Air Force Reserve[B]: Achieved: 102;
Air Force Reserve[B]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Air National Guard[C]: Goal: [Empty];
Air National Guard[C]: Achieved: 33;
Air National Guard[C]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Fiscal year: 2006;
Army Reserve: Goal: 201;
Army Reserve: Achieved: 76;
Army Reserve: Percentage of goal met: 37.8;
Army National Guard[A]: Goal: [Empty];
Army National Guard[A]: Achieved: 17;
Army National Guard[A]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Navy Reserve: Goal: 100;
Navy Reserve: Achieved: 20;
Navy Reserve: Percentage of goal met: 20.0;
Air Force Reserve[B]: Goal: [Empty];
Air Force Reserve[B]: Achieved: 88;
Air Force Reserve[B]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Air National Guard[C]: Goal: [Empty];
Air National Guard[C]: Achieved: 28;
Air National Guard[C]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Fiscal year: 2007;
Army Reserve: Goal: 216;
Army Reserve: Achieved: 66;
Army Reserve: Percentage of goal met: 30.6;
Army National Guard[A]: Goal: [Empty];
Army National Guard[A]: Achieved: 32;
Army National Guard[A]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Navy Reserve: Goal: 107;
Navy Reserve: Achieved: 51;
Navy Reserve: Percentage of goal met: 47.7;
Air Force Reserve[B]: Goal: [Empty];
Air Force Reserve[B]: Achieved: 84;
Air Force Reserve[B]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Air National Guard[C]: Goal: [Empty];
Air National Guard[C]: Achieved: 42;
Air National Guard[C]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Fiscal year: 20081;
Army Reserve: Goal: 157;
Army Reserve: Achieved: 69;
Army Reserve: Percentage of goal met: 43.9;
Army National Guard[A]: Goal: 117;
Army National Guard[A]: Achieved: 40;
Army National Guard[A]: Percentage of goal met: 34.2;
Navy Reserve: Goal: 73;
Navy Reserve: Achieved: 107;
Navy Reserve: Percentage of goal met: 146.6;
Air Force Reserve[B]: Goal: [Empty];
Air Force Reserve[B]: Achieved: 67;
Air Force Reserve[B]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Air National Guard[C]: Goal: [Empty];
Air National Guard[C]: Achieved: 38;
Air National Guard[C]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Source: GAO analysis on service data.
[A] In fiscal years 2001 through 2007, the Army National Guard did not
have accession goals.
[B] According to an Air Force official, the Air Force did not have
accession goals by corps.
[C] According to an Air National Guard official, the Air National Guard
did not have accession goals.
[End of table]
Table 4: Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship Goals Met by the
Services for Active Duty Dentists, Fiscal Years 2001 through 2008:
Fiscal year: 2001;
Army: Goal: 87;
Army: Achieved: 88;
Army: Percentage of goal met: 101.1;
Army: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: 1.1;
Navy: Goal: 62;
Navy: Achieved: 62;
Navy: Percentage of goal met: 100.0;
Navy: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: 0.
Fiscal year: 2002;
Army: Goal: 93;
Army: Achieved: 94;
Army: Percentage of goal met: 101.1;
Army: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: 1.1;
Navy: Goal: 70;
Navy: Achieved: 70;
Navy: Percentage of goal met: 100;
Navy: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: 0.
Fiscal year: 2003;
Army: Goal: 97;
Army: Achieved: 99;
Army: Percentage of goal met: 102.1;
Army: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: 2.1;
Navy: Goal: 80;
Navy: Achieved: 80;
Navy: Percentage of goal met: 100;
Navy: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: 0.
Fiscal year: 2004;
Army: Goal: 118;
Army: Achieved: 119;
Army: Percentage of goal met: 100.0;
Army: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: 0.8;
Navy: Goal: 98;
Navy: Achieved: 97;
Navy: Percentage of goal met: 99;
Navy: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: -1;
Air Force[A]: Goal: 66;
Air Force[A]: Achieved: 69;
Air Force[A]: Percentage of goal met: 104.5;
Air Force[A]: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: 4.5.
Fiscal year: 2005;
Army: Goal: 93;
Army: Achieved: 83;
Army: Percentage of goal met: 89.2;
Army: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: -10.8;
Navy: Goal: 85;
Navy: Achieved: 69;
Navy: Percentage of goal met: 81.2;
Navy: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: -18.8;
Air Force[A]: Goal: 105;
Air Force[A]: Achieved: 107;
Air Force[A]: Percentage of goal met: 101.9;
Air Force[A]: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: 1.9.
Fiscal year: 2006;
Army: Goal: 115;
Army: Achieved: 79;
Army: Percentage of goal met: 68.7;
Army: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: -31.3;
Navy: Goal: 75;
Navy: Achieved: 57;
Navy: Percentage of goal met: 76;
Navy: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: -24;
Air Force[A]: Goal: 135;
Air Force[A]: Achieved: 139;
Air Force[A]: Percentage of goal met: 103;
Air Force[A]: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: -3.
Fiscal year: 2007;
Army: Goal: 122;
Army: Achieved: 71;
Army: Percentage of goal met: 58.2;
Army: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: -41.8;
Navy: Goal: 75;
Navy: Achieved: 65;
Navy: Percentage of goal met: 86.7;
Navy: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: -13.3;
Air Force[A]: Goal: 90;
Air Force[A]: Achieved: 114;
Air Force[A]: Percentage of goal met: 126.7;
Air Force[A]: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: 26.7.
Fiscal year: 2008;
Army: Goal: 135;
Army: Achieved: 112;
Army: Percentage of goal met: 83;
Army: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: -17;
Navy: Goal: 75;
Navy: Achieved: 75;
Navy: Percentage of goal met: 100;
Navy: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: 0;
Air Force[A]: Goal: 111;
Air Force[A]: Achieved: 117;
Air Force[A]: Percentage of goal met: 105.4;
Air Force[A]: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: 5.4.
Source: GAO analysis on service data.
[A] Due to a system change, the active Air Force was unable to provide
data for fiscal years 2001 through 2003.
[End of table]
Table 5: Direct Accession Goals Met by the Services for Active Duty
Dentists, Fiscal Years 2001 through 2008:
Fiscal year: 2001;
Army: Goal: 20;
Army: Achieved: 15;
Army: Percentage of goal met: 75;
Army: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: -25;
Navy: Goal: 13;
Navy: Achieved: 13;
Navy: Percentage of goal met: 100.0;
Navy: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: 0.
Fiscal year: 2002;
Army: Goal: 20;
Army: Achieved: 11;
Army: Percentage of goal met: 55;
Army: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: -45;
Navy: Goal: 20;
Navy: Achieved: 17;
Navy: Percentage of goal met: 85;
Navy: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: -15.
Fiscal year: 2003;
Army: Goal: 25;
Army: Achieved: 16;
Army: Percentage of goal met: 64;
Army: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: -36;
Navy: Goal: 31;
Navy: Achieved: 13;
Navy: Percentage of goal met: 41.9;
Navy: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: -58.1.
Fiscal year: 2004;
Army: Goal: 30;
Army: Achieved: 9;
Army: Percentage of goal met: 30;
Army: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: -70.0;
Navy: Goal: 25;
Navy: Achieved: 10;
Navy: Percentage of goal met: 40;
Navy: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: -60;
Air Force[A]: Goal: 87;
Air Force[A]: Achieved: 32;
Air Force[A]: Percentage of goal met: 36.8;
Air Force[A]: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: -63.2.
Fiscal year: 2005;
Army: Goal: 30;
Army: Achieved: 16;
Army: Percentage of goal met: 53.3;
Army: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: -46.7;
Navy: Goal: 15;
Navy: Achieved: 9;
Navy: Percentage of goal met: 60;
Navy: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: -40;
Air Force[A]: Goal: 104;
Air Force[A]: Achieved: 23;
Air Force[A]: Percentage of goal met: 22.1;
Air Force[A]: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: -77.9.
Fiscal year: 2006;
Army: Goal: 30;
Army: Achieved: 7;
Army: Percentage of goal met: 23.3;
Army: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: -76.7;
Navy: Goal: 15;
Navy: Achieved: 5;
Navy: Percentage of goal met: 33.3;
Navy: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: -66.7;
Air Force[A]: Goal: 116;
Air Force[A]: Achieved: 28;
Air Force[A]: Percentage of goal met: 24.1;
Air Force[A]: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: -75.9.
Fiscal year: 2007;
Army: Goal: 30;
Army: Achieved: 10;
Army: Percentage of goal met: 33.3;
Army: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: -66.7;
Navy: Goal: 6;
Navy: Achieved: 6;
Navy: Percentage of goal met: 100;
Navy: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: 0;
Air Force[A]: Goal: 145;
Air Force[A]: Achieved: 45;
Air Force[A]: Percentage of goal met: 31;
Air Force[A]: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: -69.
Fiscal year: 2008;
Army: Goal: 30;
Army: Achieved: 22;
Army: Percentage of goal met: 73.3;
Army: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: -26.7;
Navy: Goal: 16;
Navy: Achieved: 15;
Navy: Percentage of goal met: 93.8;
Navy: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: -6.2;
Air Force[A]: Goal: 76;
Air Force[A]: Achieved: 28;
Air Force[A]: Percentage of goal met: 36.8;
Air Force[A]: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: -63.2.
Source: GAO analysis on service data.
[A] Due to a system change, the active Air Force was unable to provide
data for fiscal years 2001 through 2003.
[End of table]
Table 6: Direct Accession Goals Met for Reserve Component Dentists,
Fiscal Years 2001 through 2008:
Fiscal year: 2001;
Army Reserve: Goal: 118;
Army Reserve: Achieved: 120;
Army Reserve: Percentage of goal met: 101.7;
Army National Guard[A]: Goal: [Empty];
Army National Guard[A]: Achieved: 11;
Army National Guard[A]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Navy Reserve: Goal: 50;
Navy Reserve: Achieved: 65;
Navy Reserve: Percentage of goal met: 130;
Air Force Reserve[B]: Goal: [Empty];
Air Force Reserve[B]: Achieved: 19;
Air Force Reserve[B]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Air National Guard[C]: Goal: [Empty];
Air National Guard[C]: Achieved: 21;
Air National Guard[C]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Fiscal year: 2002;
Army Reserve: Goal: 118;
Army Reserve: Achieved: 97;
Army Reserve: Percentage of goal met: 82.2;
Army National Guard[A]: Goal: [Empty];
Army National Guard[A]: Achieved: 13;
Army National Guard[A]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Navy Reserve: Goal: 38;
Navy Reserve: Achieved: 38;
Navy Reserve: Percentage of goal met: 100;
Air Force Reserve[B]: Goal: [Empty];
Air Force Reserve[B]: Achieved: 11;
Air Force Reserve[B]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Air National Guard[C]: Goal: [Empty];
Air National Guard[C]: Achieved: 19;
Air National Guard[C]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Fiscal year: 2003;
Army Reserve: Goal: 45;
Army Reserve: Achieved: 33;
Army Reserve: Percentage of goal met: 73.3;
Army National Guard[A]: Goal: [Empty];
Army National Guard[A]: Achieved: 8;
Army National Guard[A]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Navy Reserve: Goal: 33;
Navy Reserve: Achieved: 35;
Navy Reserve: Percentage of goal met: 106.1;
Air Force Reserve[B]: Goal: [Empty];
Air Force Reserve[B]: Achieved: 21;
Air Force Reserve[B]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Air National Guard[C]: Goal: [Empty];
Air National Guard[C]: Achieved: 9;
Air National Guard[C]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Fiscal year: 2004;
Army Reserve: Goal: 45;
Army Reserve: Achieved: 19;
Army Reserve: Percentage of goal met: 42.2;
Army National Guard[A]: Goal: [Empty];
Army National Guard[A]: Achieved: 11;
Army National Guard[A]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Navy Reserve: Goal: 31;
Navy Reserve: Achieved: 21;
Navy Reserve: Percentage of goal met: 67.7;
Air Force Reserve[B]: Goal: [Empty];
Air Force Reserve[B]: Achieved: 30;
Air Force Reserve[B]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Air National Guard[C]: Goal: [Empty];
Air National Guard[C]: Achieved: 4;
Air National Guard[C]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Fiscal year: 2005;
Army Reserve: Goal: 48;
Army Reserve: Achieved: 13;
Army Reserve: Percentage of goal met: 27.1;
Army National Guard[A]: Goal: [Empty];
Army National Guard[A]: Achieved: 2;
Army National Guard[A]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Navy Reserve: Goal: 18;
Navy Reserve: Achieved: 7;
Navy Reserve: Percentage of goal met: 38.9;
Air Force Reserve[B]: Goal: [Empty];
Air Force Reserve[B]: Achieved: 14;
Air Force Reserve[B]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Air National Guard[C]: Goal: [Empty];
Air National Guard[C]: Achieved: 15;
Air National Guard[C]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Fiscal year: 2006;
Army Reserve: Goal: 48;
Army Reserve: Achieved: 15;
Army Reserve: Percentage of goal met: 31.3;
Army National Guard[A]: Goal: [Empty];
Army National Guard[A]: Achieved: 4;
Army National Guard[A]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Navy Reserve: Goal: 26;
Navy Reserve: Achieved: 3;
Navy Reserve: Percentage of goal met: 11.5;
Air Force Reserve[B]: Goal: [Empty];
Air Force Reserve[B]: Achieved: 31;
Air Force Reserve[B]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Air National Guard[C]: Goal: [Empty];
Air National Guard[C]: Achieved: 7;
Air National Guard[C]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Fiscal year: 2007;
Army Reserve: Goal: 46;
Army Reserve: Achieved: 9;
Army Reserve: Percentage of goal met: 19.6;
Army National Guard[A]: Goal: [Empty];
Army National Guard[A]: Achieved: 15;
Army National Guard[A]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Navy Reserve: Goal: 35;
Navy Reserve: Achieved: 13;
Navy Reserve: Percentage of goal met: 37.1;
Air Force Reserve[B]: Goal: [Empty];
Air Force Reserve[B]: Achieved: 23;
Air Force Reserve[B]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Air National Guard[C]: Goal: [Empty];
Air National Guard[C]: Achieved: 6;
Air National Guard[C]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Fiscal year: 2008;
Army Reserve: Goal: 38;
Army Reserve: Achieved: 18;
Army Reserve: Percentage of goal met: 50;
Army National Guard[A]: Goal: 73;
Army National Guard[A]: Achieved: 22;
Army National Guard[A]: Percentage of goal met: 30.1;
Navy Reserve: Goal: 17;
Navy Reserve: Achieved: 30;
Navy Reserve: Percentage of goal met: 176.5;
Air Force Reserve[B]: Goal: [Empty];
Air Force Reserve[B]: Achieved: 17;
Air Force Reserve[B]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Air National Guard[C]: Goal: [Empty];
Air National Guard[C]: Achieved: 13;
Air National Guard[C]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Source: GAO analysis on service data.
[A] In fiscal years 2001 through 2007, the Army National Guard did not
have accession goals.
[B] According to an Air Force official, the Air Force did not have
accession goals by corps.
[C] According to an Air National Guard official, the Air National Guard
did not have accession goals.
[End of table]
Table 7: Direct Accession Goals Met by the Services for Active Duty
Nurses, Fiscal Years 2001 through 2008:
Fiscal year: 2001;
Army: Goal: 160;
Army: Achieved: 113;
Army: Percentage of goal met: 70.6;
Army: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: -29.4;
Navy: Goal: 100;
Navy: Achieved: 99;
Navy: Percentage of goal met: 99.0;
Navy: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: -1.0.
Fiscal year: 2002;
Army: Goal: 210;
Army: Achieved: 165;
Army: Percentage of goal met: 78.6;
Army: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: -21.4;
Navy: Goal: 90;
Navy: Achieved: 90;
Navy: Percentage of goal met: 100;
Navy: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: 0.
Fiscal year: 2003;
Army: Goal: 210;
Army: Achieved: 161;
Army: Percentage of goal met: 76.7;
Army: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: -23.3;
Navy: Goal: 72;
Navy: Achieved: 72;
Navy: Percentage of goal met: 100;
Navy: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: 0.
Fiscal year: 2004;
Army: Goal: 200;
Army: Achieved: 152;
Army: Percentage of goal met: 76;
Army: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: -24;
Navy: Goal: 91;
Navy: Achieved: 59;
Navy: Percentage of goal met: 64.8;
Navy: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: -35.2;
Air Force[A]: Goal: 394;
Air Force[A]: Achieved: 244;
Air Force[A]: Percentage of goal met: 61.9;
Air Force[A]: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: -38.1.
Fiscal year: 2005;
Army: Goal: 170;
Army: Achieved: 128;
Army: Percentage of goal met: 75.3;
Army: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: -24.7;
Navy: Goal: 99;
Navy: Achieved: 55;
Navy: Percentage of goal met: 55.6;
Navy: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: -44.4;
Air Force[A]: Goal: 350;
Air Force[A]: Achieved: 200;
Air Force[A]: Percentage of goal met: 57.1;
Air Force[A]: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: -42.9.
Fiscal year: 2006;
Army: Goal: 220;
Army: Achieved: 176;
Army: Percentage of goal met: 80;
Army: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: -20;
Navy: Goal: 102;
Navy: Achieved: 85;
Navy: Percentage of goal met: 83.3;
Navy: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: -16.7;
Air Force[A]: Goal: 350;
Air Force[A]: Achieved: 316;
Air Force[A]: Percentage of goal met: 90.3;
Air Force[A]: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: -9.7.
Fiscal year: 2007;
Army: Goal: 210;
Army: Achieved: 177;
Army: Percentage of goal met: 84.3;
Army: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: -15.7;
Navy: Goal: 71;
Navy: Achieved: 73;
Navy: Percentage of goal met: 102.8;
Navy: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: 2.8;
Air Force[A]: Goal: 350;
Air Force[A]: Achieved: 249;
Air Force[A]: Percentage of goal met: 71.1;
Air Force[A]: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: -28.9.
Fiscal year: 2008;
Army: Goal: 200;
Army: Achieved: 296;
Army: Percentage of goal met: 148;
Army: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: 48;
Navy: Goal: 57;
Navy: Achieved: 85;
Navy: Percentage of goal met: 149.1;
Navy: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: 49.1;
Air Force[A]: Goal: 325;
Air Force[A]: Achieved: 226;
Air Force[A]: Percentage of goal met: 69.5;
Air Force[A]: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: -30.5.
Source: GAO analysis on service data.
[A] Due to a system change, the active Air Force was unable to provide
data for fiscal years 2001 through 2003.
[End of table]
Table 8: Direct Accession Goals Met for Reserve Component Nurses,
Fiscal Years 2001 through 2008:
Fiscal year: 2001;
Army Reserve: Goal: 570;
Army Reserve: Achieved: 582;
Army Reserve: Percentage of goal met: 102.1;
Army National Guard[A]: Goal: [Empty];
Army National Guard[A]: Achieved: 23;
Army National Guard[A]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Navy Reserve: Goal: 247;
Navy Reserve: Achieved: 216;
Navy Reserve: Percentage of goal met: 87.4;
Air Force Reserve[B]: Goal: [Empty];
Air Force Reserve[B]: Achieved: 231;
Air Force Reserve[B]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Air National Guard[C]: Goal: [Empty];
Air National Guard[C]: Achieved: 43;
Air National Guard[C]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Fiscal year: 2002;
Army Reserve: Goal: 620;
Army Reserve: Achieved: 702;
Army Reserve: Percentage of goal met: 113.2;
Army National Guard[A]: Goal: [Empty];
Army National Guard[A]: Achieved: 41;
Army National Guard[A]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Navy Reserve: Goal: 247;
Navy Reserve: Achieved: 217;
Navy Reserve: Percentage of goal met: 87.9;
Air Force Reserve[B]: Goal: [Empty];
Air Force Reserve[B]: Achieved: 173;
Air Force Reserve[B]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Air National Guard[C]: Goal: [Empty];
Air National Guard[C]: Achieved: 55;
Air National Guard[C]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Fiscal year: 2003;
Army Reserve: Goal: 507;
Army Reserve: Achieved: 494;
Army Reserve: Percentage of goal met: 97.4;
Army National Guard[A]: Goal: [Empty];
Army National Guard[A]: Achieved: 38;
Army National Guard[A]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Navy Reserve: Goal: 261;
Navy Reserve: Achieved: 237;
Navy Reserve: Percentage of goal met: 90.8;
Air Force Reserve[B]: Goal: [Empty];
Air Force Reserve[B]: Achieved: 211;
Air Force Reserve[B]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Air National Guard[C]: Goal: [Empty];
Air National Guard[C]: Achieved: 67;
Air National Guard[C]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Fiscal year: 2004;
Army Reserve: Goal: 507;
Army Reserve: Achieved: 366;
Army Reserve: Percentage of goal met: 72.2;
Army National Guard[A]: Goal: [Empty];
Army National Guard[A]: Achieved: 36;
Army National Guard[A]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Navy Reserve: Goal: 190;
Navy Reserve: Achieved: 190;
Navy Reserve: Percentage of goal met: 100;
Air Force Reserve[B]: Goal: [Empty];
Air Force Reserve[B]: Achieved: 194;
Air Force Reserve[B]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Air National Guard[C]: Goal: [Empty];
Air National Guard[C]: Achieved: 71;
Air National Guard[C]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Fiscal year: 2005;
Army Reserve: Goal: 485;
Army Reserve: Achieved: 322;
Army Reserve: Percentage of goal met: 66.4;
Army National Guard[A]: Goal: [Empty];
Army National Guard[A]: Achieved: 29;
Army National Guard[A]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Navy Reserve: Goal: 69;
Navy Reserve: Achieved: 67;
Navy Reserve: Percentage of goal met: 97.1;
Air Force Reserve[B]: Goal: [Empty];
Air Force Reserve[B]: Achieved: 156;
Air Force Reserve[B]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Air National Guard[C]: Goal: [Empty];
Air National Guard[C]: Achieved: 78;
Air National Guard[C]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Fiscal year: 2006;
Army Reserve: Goal: 494;
Army Reserve: Achieved: 394;
Army Reserve: Percentage of goal met: 97.8;
Army National Guard[A]: Goal: [Empty];
Army National Guard[A]: Achieved: 38;
Army National Guard[A]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Navy Reserve: Goal: 60;
Navy Reserve: Achieved: 12;
Navy Reserve: Percentage of goal met: 20;
Air Force Reserve[B]: Goal: [Empty];
Air Force Reserve[B]: Achieved: 137;
Air Force Reserve[B]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Air National Guard[C]: Goal: [Empty];
Air National Guard[C]: Achieved: 97;
Air National Guard[C]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Fiscal year: 2007;
Army Reserve: Goal: 440;
Army Reserve: Achieved: 372;
Army Reserve: Percentage of goal met: 84.5;
Army National Guard[A]: Goal: [Empty];
Army National Guard[A]: Achieved: 96;
Army National Guard[A]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Navy Reserve: Goal: 23;
Navy Reserve: Achieved: 8;
Navy Reserve: Percentage of goal met: 34.8;
Air Force Reserve[B]: Goal: [Empty];
Air Force Reserve[B]: Achieved: 139;
Air Force Reserve[B]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Air National Guard[C]: Goal: [Empty];
Air National Guard[C]: Achieved: 96;
Air National Guard[C]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Fiscal year: 2008;
Army Reserve: Goal: 362;
Army Reserve: Achieved: 528;
Army Reserve: Percentage of goal met: 145.9;
Army National Guard[A]: Goal: 31;
Army National Guard[A]: Achieved: 89;
Army National Guard[A]: Percentage of goal met: 287.1;
Navy Reserve: Goal: 83;
Navy Reserve: Achieved: 89;
Navy Reserve: Percentage of goal met: 107.2;
Air Force Reserve[B]: Goal: [Empty];
Air Force Reserve[B]: Achieved: 164;
Air Force Reserve[B]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Air National Guard[C]: Goal: [Empty];
Air National Guard[C]: Achieved: 93;
Air National Guard[C]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Source: GAO analysis on service data.
[A] In fiscal years 2001 through 2007, the Army National Guard did not
have accession goals.
[B] According to an Air Force official, the Air Force did not have
accession goals by corps.
[C] According to an Air National Guard official, the Air National Guard
did not have accession goals.
[End of table]
Table 9: Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship Goals Met by the
Services for Active Duty Other Medical Officers, Fiscal Years 2001
through 2008:
Fiscal year: 2001;
Army: Goal: 21;
Army: Achieved: 23;
Army: Percentage of goal met: 109.5;
Army: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: 9.5;
Navy: Goal: 7;
Navy: Achieved: 7;
Navy: Percentage of goal met: 100;
Navy: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: 0.
Fiscal year: 2002;
Army: Goal: 42;
Army: Achieved: 42;
Army: Percentage of goal met: 100;
Army: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: 0;
Navy: Goal: 13;
Navy: Achieved: 13;
Navy: Percentage of goal met: 100;
Navy: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: 0.
Fiscal year: 2003;
Army: Goal: 65;
Army: Achieved: 66;
Army: Percentage of goal met: 101.5;
Army: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: 1.5;
Navy: Goal: 6;
Navy: Achieved: 6;
Navy: Percentage of goal met: 100;
Navy: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: 0.
Fiscal year: 2004;
Army: Goal: 38;
Army: Achieved: 54;
Army: Percentage of goal met: 142.1;
Army: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: 42.1;
Navy: Goal: 6;
Navy: Achieved: 6;
Navy: Percentage of goal met: 100;
Navy: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: 0;
Air Force[A]: Goal: 25;
Air Force[A]: Achieved: 23;
Air Force[A]: Percentage of goal met: 92;
Air Force[A]: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: -8.
Fiscal year: 2005;
Army: Goal: 57;
Army: Achieved: 55;
Army: Percentage of goal met: 96.5;
Army: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: -3.5;
Navy: Goal: 109;
Navy: Achieved: 105;
Navy: Percentage of goal met: 100;
Navy: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: 0;
Air Force[A]: Goal: 23;
Air Force[A]: Achieved: 23;
Air Force[A]: Percentage of goal met: 100;
Air Force[A]: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: 0.
Fiscal year: 2006;
Army: Goal: 67;
Army: Achieved: 68;
Army: Percentage of goal met: 101.5;
Army: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: 1.5;
Navy: Goal: 9;
Navy: Achieved: 9;
Navy: Percentage of goal met: 100;
Navy: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: 0;
Air Force[A]: Goal: 45;
Air Force[A]: Achieved: 31;
Air Force[A]: Percentage of goal met: 68.9;
Air Force[A]: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: -31.1.
Fiscal year: 2007;
Army: Goal: 85;
Army: Achieved: 89;
Army: Percentage of goal met: 104.7;
Army: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: 4.7;
Navy: Goal: 19;
Navy: Achieved: 19;
Navy: Percentage of goal met: 100;
Navy: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: 0;
Air Force[A]: Goal: 19;
Air Force[A]: Achieved: 18;
Air Force[A]: Percentage of goal met: 94.7;
Air Force[A]: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: -5.3.
Fiscal year: 2008;
Army: Goal: 78;
Army: Achieved: 93;
Army: Percentage of goal met: 119.2;
Army: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: 19.2;
Navy: Goal: 20;
Navy: Achieved: 20;
Navy: Percentage of goal met: 100;
Navy: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: 0;
Air Force[A]: Goal: 55;
Air Force[A]: Achieved: 45;
Air Force[A]: Percentage of goal met: 81.8;
Air Force[A]: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: -18.2.
Source: GAO analysis on service data.
Note: The services set their goals for awarding the Armed Forces Health
Professions Scholarship Program based on their needs for fully trained
medical professionals in the future.
[A] Due to a system change, the active Air Force was unable to provide
data for fiscal years 2001 through 2003.
[End of table]
Table 10: Direct Accession Goals Met by the Services for Active Duty
Other Medical Officers, Fiscal Years 2001 through 2008:
Fiscal year: 2001;
Army: Goal: 120;
Army: Achieved: 118;
Army: Percentage of goal met: 98.3;
Army: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: -3.7;
Navy: Goal: 177;
Navy: Achieved: 130;
Navy: Percentage of goal met: 73.4;
Navy: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: -26.6.
Fiscal year: 2002;
Army: Goal: 142;
Army: Achieved: 163;
Army: Percentage of goal met: 114.8;
Army: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: 14.8;
Navy: Goal: 1223;
Navy: Achieved: 106;
Navy: Percentage of goal met: 88.5;
Navy: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: -11.5.
Fiscal year: 2003;
Army: Goal: 108;
Army: Achieved: 120;
Army: Percentage of goal met: 111.1;
Army: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: 11.1;
Navy: Goal: 80;
Navy: Achieved: 80;
Navy: Percentage of goal met: 100;
Navy: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: 0.
Fiscal year: 2004;
Army: Goal: 90;
Army: Achieved: 132;
Army: Percentage of goal met: 146.7;
Army: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: 46.7;
Navy: Goal: 101;
Navy: Achieved: 94;
Navy: Percentage of goal met: 93.1;
Navy: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: -6.9;
Air Force[A]: Goal: 123;
Air Force[A]: Achieved: 113;
Air Force[A]: Percentage of goal met: 91.9;
Air Force[A]: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: -8.1.
Fiscal year: 2005;
Army: Goal: 105;
Army: Achieved: 117;
Army: Percentage of goal met: 111.4;
Army: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: 11.4;
Navy: Goal: 70;
Navy: Achieved: 49;
Navy: Percentage of goal met: 70;
Navy: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: -30;
Air Force[A]: Goal: 116;
Air Force[A]: Achieved: 105;
Air Force[A]: Percentage of goal met: 90.5;
Air Force[A]: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: -9.5.
Fiscal year: 2006;
Army: Goal: 149;
Army: Achieved: 212;
Army: Percentage of goal met: 142.3;
Army: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: 42.3;
Navy: Goal: 80;
Navy: Achieved: 54;
Navy: Percentage of goal met: 67.5;
Navy: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: -32.5;
Air Force[A]: Goal: 182;
Air Force[A]: Achieved: 183;
Air Force[A]: Percentage of goal met: 100.5;
Air Force[A]: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: 0.5.
Fiscal year: 2007;
Army: Goal: 162;
Army: Achieved: 244;
Army: Percentage of goal met: 150.6;
Army: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: 50.6;
Navy: Goal: 60;
Navy: Achieved: 60;
Navy: Percentage of goal met: 100;
Navy: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: 0;
Air Force[A]: Goal: 215;
Air Force[A]: Achieved: 157;
Air Force[A]: Percentage of goal met: 73;
Air Force[A]: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: -27.
Fiscal year: 2008;
Army: Goal: 199;
Army: Achieved: 227;
Army: Percentage of goal met: 114.1;
Army: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: 14.1;
Navy: Goal: 106;
Navy: Achieved: 108;
Navy: Percentage of goal met: 101.9;
Navy: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: 1.9;
Air Force[A]: Goal: 356;
Air Force[A]: Achieved: 154;
Air Force[A]: Percentage of goal met: 46.1;
Air Force[A]: Percentage of goal exceeded or not met: -53.9.
Source: GAO analysis on service data.
[A] Due to a system change, the active Air Force was unable to provide
data for fiscal years 2001 through 2003.
Table 11: Direct Accession Goals Met for Reserve Component Other
Medical Officers, Fiscal Years 2001 through 2008:
Fiscal year: 2001;
Army Reserve: Goal: 295;
Army Reserve: Achieved: 426;
Army Reserve: Percentage of goal met: 144.4;
Army National Guard[A]: Goal: [Empty];
Army National Guard[A]: Achieved: 93;
Army National Guard[A]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Navy Reserve: Goal: 33;
Navy Reserve: Achieved: 28;
Navy Reserve: Percentage of goal met: 84.8;
Air Force Reserve[B]: Goal: [Empty];
Air Force Reserve[B]: Achieved: 127;
Air Force Reserve[B]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Air National Guard[C]: Goal: [Empty];
Air National Guard[C]: Achieved: 66;
Air National Guard[C]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Fiscal year: 2002;
Army Reserve: Goal: 307;
Army Reserve: Achieved: 360;
Army Reserve: Percentage of goal met: 117.3;
Army National Guard[A]: Goal: [Empty];
Army National Guard[A]: Achieved: 117;
Army National Guard[A]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Navy Reserve: Goal: 26;
Navy Reserve: Achieved: 30;
Navy Reserve: Percentage of goal met: 155.4;
Air Force Reserve[B]: Goal: [Empty];
Air Force Reserve[B]: Achieved: 115;
Air Force Reserve[B]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Air National Guard[C]: Goal: [Empty];
Air National Guard[C]: Achieved: 94;
Air National Guard[C]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Fiscal year: 2003;
Army Reserve: Goal: 217;
Army Reserve: Achieved: 221;
Army Reserve: Percentage of goal met: 101.8;
Army National Guard[A]: Goal: [Empty];
Army National Guard[A]: Achieved: 96;
Army National Guard[A]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Navy Reserve: Goal: 40;
Navy Reserve: Achieved: 80;
Navy Reserve: Percentage of goal met: 200;
Air Force Reserve[B]: Goal: [Empty];
Air Force Reserve[B]: Achieved: 90;
Air Force Reserve[B]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Air National Guard[C]: Goal: [Empty];
Air National Guard[C]: Achieved: 80;
Air National Guard[C]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Fiscal year: 2004;
Army Reserve: Goal: 151;
Army Reserve: Achieved: 136;
Army Reserve: Percentage of goal met: 90.1;
Army National Guard[A]: Goal: [Empty];
Army National Guard[A]: Achieved: 86;
Army National Guard[A]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Navy Reserve: Goal: 20;
Navy Reserve: Achieved: 20;
Navy Reserve: Percentage of goal met: 100;
Air Force Reserve[B]: Goal: [Empty];
Air Force Reserve[B]: Achieved: 86;
Air Force Reserve[B]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Air National Guard[C]: Goal: [Empty];
Air National Guard[C]: Achieved: 67;
Air National Guard[C]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Fiscal year: 2005;
Army Reserve: Goal: 188;
Army Reserve: Achieved: 170;
Army Reserve: Percentage of goal met: 90.4;
Army National Guard[A]: Goal: [Empty];
Army National Guard[A]: Achieved: 73;
Army National Guard[A]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Navy Reserve: Goal: 20;
Navy Reserve: Achieved: 12;
Navy Reserve: Percentage of goal met: 60;
Air Force Reserve[B]: Goal: [Empty];
Air Force Reserve[B]: Achieved: 84;
Air Force Reserve[B]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Air National Guard[C]: Goal: [Empty];
Air National Guard[C]: Achieved: 62;
Air National Guard[C]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Fiscal year: 2006;
Army Reserve: Goal: 197;
Army Reserve: Achieved: 208;
Army Reserve: Percentage of goal met: 105.6;
Army National Guard[A]: Goal: [Empty];
Army National Guard[A]: Achieved: 91;
Army National Guard[A]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Navy Reserve: Goal: 21;
Navy Reserve: Achieved: 7;
Navy Reserve: Percentage of goal met: 33.3;
Air Force Reserve[B]: Goal: [Empty];
Air Force Reserve[B]: Achieved: 82;
Air Force Reserve[B]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Air National Guard[C]: Goal: [Empty];
Air National Guard[C]: Achieved: 102;
Air National Guard[C]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Fiscal year: 2007;
Army Reserve: Goal: 122;
Army Reserve: Achieved: 69;
Army Reserve: Percentage of goal met: 56.6;
Army National Guard[A]: Goal: [Empty];
Army National Guard[A]: Achieved: 333;
Army National Guard[A]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Navy Reserve: Goal: 70;
Navy Reserve: Achieved: 61;
Navy Reserve: Percentage of goal met: 87.1;
Air Force Reserve[B]: Goal: [Empty];
Air Force Reserve[B]: Achieved: 74;
Air Force Reserve[B]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Air National Guard[C]: Goal: [Empty];
Air National Guard[C]: Achieved: 72;
Air National Guard[C]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Fiscal year: 2008;
Army Reserve: Goal: 222;
Army Reserve: Achieved: 236;
Army Reserve: Percentage of goal met: 106.3;
Army National Guard[A]: Goal: 288;
Army National Guard[A]: Achieved: 362;
Army National Guard[A]: Percentage of goal met: 125.7;
Navy Reserve: Goal: 19;
Navy Reserve: Achieved: 33;
Navy Reserve: Percentage of goal met: 173.7;
Air Force Reserve[B]: Goal: [Empty];
Air Force Reserve[B]: Achieved: 59;
Air Force Reserve[B]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Air National Guard[C]: Goal: [Empty];
Air National Guard[C]: Achieved: 99;
Air National Guard[C]: Percentage of goal met: [Empty];
Source: GAO analysis on service data.
[A] In fiscal years 2001 through 2007, the Army National Guard did not
have accession goals.
[B] According to an Air Force official, the Air Force did not have
accession goals by corps.
[C] According to an Air National Guard official, the Air National Guard
did not have accession goals.
[End of table]
[End of appendix]
Appendix III: Retention:
Table 12: Percentage of Active and Reserve[A] Components‘ Physicians
Retained in Fiscal Years 2001 through 2008:
Fiscal year: 2001;
Army: 89.8;
Navy: 91.9;
Air Force: 86.5;
Army Reserve: 85.4;
Army National Guard: 81.8;
Navy Reserve: 85.2;
Air Force Reserve: 89.4;
Air National Guard: 89.7.
Fiscal year: 2002;
Army: 89.9;
Navy: 91.1;
Air Force: 87.1;
Army Reserve: 82.9;
Army National Guard: 87.5;
Navy Reserve: 84.2;
Air Force Reserve: 88.5;
Air National Guard: 91.4.
Fiscal year: 2003;
Army: 92.0;
Navy: 90.8;
Air Force: 86.5;
Army Reserve: 86.7;
Army National Guard: 85.5;
Navy Reserve: 81.2;
Air Force Reserve: 78.8;
Air National Guard: 86.6.
Fiscal year: 2004;
Army: 91.1;
Navy: 88.9;
Air Force: 88.5;
Army Reserve: 87.5;
Army National Guard: 87.6;
Navy Reserve: [B];
Air Force Reserve: [B];
Air National Guard: [B].
Fiscal year: 2005;
Army: 90.5;
Navy: 89.9;
Air Force: 88.4;
Army Reserve: 88.4;
Army National Guard: 85.3;
Navy Reserve: 76.9;
Air Force Reserve: 82.7;
Air National Guard: 92.5.
Fiscal year: 2006;
Army: 90.5;
Navy: 89.5;
Air Force: 88.1;
Army Reserve: 90.8;
Army National Guard: 87.8;
Navy Reserve: 78.2;
Air Force Reserve: 86.3;
Air National Guard: 90.8.
Fiscal year: 2007;
Army: 91.7;
Navy: 89.1;
Air Force: 88.4;
Army Reserve: 89.8;
Army National Guard: 81.1;
Navy Reserve: 81.0;
Air Force Reserve: 88.7;
Air National Guard: 89.5.
Source: GAO analysis on service data.
Note: Fiscal year 2008 data were not available at the time of our
review.
[A] We analyzed retention data for the selected reserve since data were
only available for those personnel.
[B] According to service officials, in fiscal year 2004, the Navy
Reserve, the Air Force Reserve, and the Air National Guard retention
data contained errors; these data were not included in our analysis.
[End of table]
Table 13: Percentage of Active and Reserve[A] Components‘ Dentists
Retained in Fiscal Years 2001 through 2008:
Fiscal year: 2001;
Army: 90.9;
Navy: 90.2;
Air Force: 86.6;
Army Reserve: 87.5;
Army National Guard: 86.3;
Navy Reserve: 90.0;
Air Force Reserve: 87.4;
Air National Guard: 89.5.
Fiscal year: 2002;
Army: 88.1;
Navy: 87.6;
Air Force: 90.0;
Army Reserve: 84.7;
Army National Guard: 84.7;
Navy Reserve: 85.4;
Air Force Reserve: 90.6;
Air National Guard: 94.1.
Fiscal year: 2003;
Army: 88.8;
Navy: 88.3;
Air Force: 81.5;
Army Reserve: 84.8;
Army National Guard: 88.9;
Navy Reserve: 80.2;
Air Force Reserve: 77.5;
Air National Guard: 82.7.
Fiscal year: 2004;
Army: 85.4;
Navy: 89.5;
Air Force: 88.4;
Army Reserve: 86.1;
Army National Guard: 88.0;
Navy Reserve: [B];
Air Force Reserve: [B];
Air National Guard: [B].
Fiscal year: 2005;
Army: 87.5;
Navy: 87.0;
Air Force: 84.3;
Army Reserve: 87.7;
Army National Guard: 85.5;
Navy Reserve: 80.0;
Air Force Reserve: 87.7;
Air National Guard: 86.2.
Fiscal year: 2006;
Army: 87.7;
Navy: 85.6;
Air Force: 82.4;
Army Reserve: 92.3;
Army National Guard: 90.9;
Navy Reserve: 85.2;
Air Force Reserve: 90.0;
Air National Guard: 92.0.
Fiscal year: 2007;
Army: 88.8;
Navy: 85.3;
Air Force: 85.9;
Army Reserve: 84.8;
Army National Guard: 85.8;
Navy Reserve: 86.3;
Air Force Reserve: 85.7;
Air National Guard: 86.3.
Source: GAO analysis on service data.
Note: Fiscal year 2008 data were not available at the time of our
review.
[A] We analyzed retention data for the selected reserve since data were
only available for those personnel.
[B] According to service officials, in fiscal year 2004, the Navy
Reserve, the Air Force Reserve, and the Air National Guard retention
data contained errors; these data were not included in our analysis.
[End of table]
Table 14: Percentage of Active and Reserve[A] Components‘ Nurses
Retained in Fiscal Years 2001 through 2008:
Fiscal year: 2001;
Army: 90.2;
Navy: 92.0;
Air Force: 87.3;
Army Reserve: 85.5;
Army National Guard: 86.1;
Navy Reserve: 88.2;
Air Force Reserve: 89.6;
Air National Guard: 90.8.
Fiscal year: 2002;
Army: 88.6;
Navy: 92.4;
Air Force: 93.6;
Army Reserve: 84.5;
Army National Guard: 85.8;
Navy Reserve: 88.5;
Air Force Reserve: 93.5;
Air National Guard: 93.8.
Fiscal year: 2003;
Army: 90.5;
Navy: 91.6;
Air Force: 90.6;
Army Reserve: 87.0;
Army National Guard: 88.2;
Navy Reserve: 89.1;
Air Force Reserve: 85.5;
Air National Guard: 85.2.
Fiscal year: 2004;
Army: 88.3;
Navy: 90.5;
Air Force: 91.1;
Army Reserve: 87.5;
Army National Guard: 84.6;
Navy Reserve: [B];
Air Force Reserve: [B];
Air National Guard: [B].
Fiscal year: 2005;
Army: 88.6;
Navy: 90.4;
Air Force: 88.7;
Army Reserve: 86.8;
Army National Guard: 87.2;
Navy Reserve: 83.6;
Air Force Reserve: 87.2;
Air National Guard: 91.3.
Fiscal year: 2006;
Army: 88.1;
Navy: 88.5;
Air Force: 88.1;
Army Reserve: 90.3;
Army National Guard: 90.3;
Navy Reserve: 79.7;
Air Force Reserve: 88.2;
Air National Guard: 90.9.
Fiscal year: 2007;
Army: 90.0;
Navy: 90.0;
Air Force: 87.9;
Army Reserve: 87.7;
Army National Guard: 88.2;
Navy Reserve: 87.3;
Air Force Reserve: 87.5;
Air National Guard: 93.3.
Source: GAO analysis on service data.
Note: Fiscal year 2008 data were not available at the time of our
review.
[A] We analyzed retention data for the selected reserve since data were
only available for those personnel.
[B] According to service officials, in fiscal year 2004, the Navy
Reserve, the Air Force Reserve, and the Air National Guard retention
data contained errors; these data were not included in our analysis.
[End of table]
Table 15: Percentage of Active and Reserve[A] Components‘ Other Medical
Officers Retained in Fiscal Years 2001 through 2008:
Fiscal year: 2001;
Army: 90.2;
Navy: 91.6;
Air Force: 89.7;
Army Reserve: 86.9;
Army National Guard: 85.5;
Navy Reserve: 89.2;
Air Force Reserve: 92.0;
Air National Guard: 92.7.
Fiscal year: 2002;
Army: 90.8;
Navy: 93.2;
Air Force: 94.5;
Army Reserve: 87.3;
Army National Guard: 83.3;
Navy Reserve: 84.5;
Air Force Reserve: 94.1;
Air National Guard: 91.2.
Fiscal year: 2003;
Army: 91.1;
Navy: 92.7;
Air Force: 92.6;
Army Reserve: 88.9;
Army National Guard: 88.0;
Navy Reserve: 85.4;
Air Force Reserve: 88.2;
Air National Guard: 87.2.
Fiscal year: 2004;
Army: 91.5;
Navy: 91.2;
Air Force: 90.5;
Army Reserve: 85.5;
Army National Guard: 82.2;
Navy Reserve: [B];
Air Force Reserve: [B];
Air National Guard: [B].
Fiscal year: 2005;
Army: 90.0;
Navy: 89.8;
Air Force: 89.1;
Army Reserve: 88.2;
Army National Guard: 89.0;
Navy Reserve: 87.5;
Air Force Reserve: 87.6;
Air National Guard: 89.8.
Fiscal year: 2006;
Army: 89.7;
Navy: 89.1;
Air Force: 83.7;
Army Reserve: 89.6;
Army National Guard: 90.0;
Navy Reserve: 77.0;
Air Force Reserve: 87.6;
Air National Guard: 87.6.
Fiscal year: 2007;
Army: 91.0;
Navy: 90.6;
Air Force: 89.4;
Army Reserve: 88.4;
Army National Guard: 85.5;
Navy Reserve: 88.7;
Air Force Reserve: 88.3;
Air National Guard: 90.8.
Source: GAO analysis on service data.
Note: Fiscal year 2008 data were not available at the time of our
review.
[A] We analyzed retention data for the selected reserve since data were
only available for those personnel.
[B] According to service officials, in fiscal year 2004, the Navy
Reserve, the Air Force Reserve, and the Air National Guard retention
data contained errors; these data were not included in our analysis.
[End of table]
[End of appendix]
Appendix IV: End Strength:
Table 16: Differences between Active Duty Physician Authorizations and
End Strengths for Fiscal Years 2001 through 2008 by Service:
Fiscal year: 2001;
Army Authorized level: 5,069[A];
Army End strength: 4,184;
Army Percentage above/below authorized: -17.5;
Navy Authorized level: 3,937;
Navy End strength: 4,096;
Navy Percentage above/below authorized: 4.0;
Air Force Authorized level: 3,469;
Air Force End strength: 3,691;
Air Force Percentage above/below authorized: 6.4.
Fiscal year: 2002;
Army Authorized level: 4,347;
Army End strength: 4,194;
Army Percentage above/below authorized: -4.6;
Navy Authorized level: 3,945;
Navy End strength: 4,104;
Navy Percentage above/below authorized: 4.0;
Air Force Authorized level: 3,487;
Air Force End strength: 3,695;
Air Force Percentage above/below authorized: 6.0.
Fiscal year: 2003;
Army Authorized level: 4,354;
Army End strength: 4,188;
Army Percentage above/below authorized: -3.8;
Navy Authorized level: 3,957;
Navy End strength: 4,064;
Navy Percentage above/below authorized: 2.7;
Air Force Authorized level: 3,481;
Air Force End strength: 3,569;
Air Force Percentage above/below authorized: 2.5.
Fiscal year: 2004;
Army Authorized level: 4,347;
Army End strength: 4,230;
Army Percentage above/below authorized: -2.7;
Navy Authorized level: 3,960;
Navy End strength: 3,952;
Navy Percentage above/below authorized: -0.2;
Air Force Authorized level: 3,608;
Air Force End strength: 3,602;
Air Force Percentage above/below authorized: -0.2.
Fiscal year: 2005;
Army Authorized level: 4,347;
Army End strength: 4,243;
Army Percentage above/below authorized: -2.4;
Navy Authorized level: 3,811;
Navy End strength: 3,845;
Navy Percentage above/below authorized: 0.9;
Air Force Authorized level: 3,468;
Air Force End strength: 3,544;
Air Force Percentage above/below authorized: 2.2.
Fiscal year: 2006;
Army Authorized level: 4,347;
Army End strength: 4,253;
Army Percentage above/below authorized: -2.2;
Navy Authorized level: 3,920;
Navy End strength: 3,811;
Navy Percentage above/below authorized: -2.8;
Air Force Authorized level: 3,406;
Air Force End strength: 3,452;
Air Force Percentage above/below authorized: 1.4.
Fiscal year: 2007;
Army Authorized level: 4,347;
Army End strength: 4,274;
Army Percentage above/below authorized: -1.7;
Navy Authorized level: 3,816;
Navy End strength: 3,730;
Navy Percentage above/below authorized: -2.3;
Air Force Authorized level: 3,365;
Air Force End strength: 3,429;
Air Force Percentage above/below authorized: 1.9.
Source: GAO analysis on service data.
Notes: The data are from GAO analysis of primary specialty tables
(table A7) within the Health Manpower Statistics reports. GAO did not
independently verify the validity of authorizations or end strength
numbers. Authorizations are defined as the number of positions in which
resources have been allocated to fulfill the services' medical mission.
End strength numbers represent the number of medical personnel at the
end of the fiscal year.
[A] In its comments on a draft of this briefing, DOD suggests the use
of a different number (4,347) for fiscal year 2001 authorized levels
for Army physicians. The fiscal year 2001 Health Manpower Statistics
report contains two different numbers for authorized Army physicians,
both the Army's suggested number as well as the number we reported.
However, we did not revise the number as DOD suggested since the Army
could not explain the rationale for the change.
[End of table]
Table 17: Differences between Reserve[A] Component Physician
Authorizations and End Strengths for Fiscal Years 2001 through
2008:
Fiscal year: 2001;
Army Reserve Authorized level: 1,734;
Army Reserve End strength: 1,770;
Army Reserve Percentage above/below authorized: 2.1;
Army National Guard Authorized level: 950;
Army National Guard End strength: 584;
Army National Guard Percentage above/below authorized: -38.5;
Navy Reserve Authorized level: 984;
Navy Reserve End strength: 1,025;
Navy Reserve Percentage above/below authorized: 4.2;
Air Force Reserve Authorized level: 796;
Air Force Reserve End strength: 756;
Air Force Reserve Percentage above/below authorized: -5.0.
Air National Guard Authorized level: 467;
Air National Guard End strength: 440;
Air National Guard Percentage above/below authorized: -5.8;
Fiscal year: 2002;
Army Reserve Authorized level: 1,658;
Army Reserve End strength: 1,906;
Army Reserve Percentage above/below authorized: 15;
Army National Guard Authorized level: 847;
Army National Guard End strength: 628;
Army National Guard Percentage above/below authorized: -25.9;
Navy Reserve Authorized level: 1,062;
Navy Reserve End strength: 961;
Navy Reserve Percentage above/below authorized: -9.5;
Air Force Reserve Authorized level: 801;
Air Force Reserve End strength: 784;
Air Force Reserve Percentage above/below authorized: -2.1.
Air National Guard Authorized level: 486;
Air National Guard End strength: 454;
Air National Guard Percentage above/below authorized: -6.6;
Fiscal year: 2003;
Army Reserve Authorized level: 2,130;
Army Reserve End strength: 1,933;
Army Reserve Percentage above/below authorized: -9.2;
Army National Guard Authorized level: 808;
Army National Guard End strength: 625;
Army National Guard Percentage above/below authorized: -22.6;
Navy Reserve Authorized level: 1,060;
Navy Reserve End strength: 916;
Navy Reserve Percentage above/below authorized: -13.6;
Air Force Reserve Authorized level: 809;
Air Force Reserve End strength: 716;
Air Force Reserve Percentage above/below authorized: -11.5.
Air National Guard Authorized level: 698;
Air National Guard End strength: 454;
Air National Guard Percentage above/below authorized: -35;
Fiscal year: 2004;
Army Reserve Authorized level: 2,242;
Army Reserve End strength: 1,812;
Army Reserve Percentage above/below authorized: -19.2;
Army National Guard Authorized level: 806;
Army National Guard End strength: 618;
Army National Guard Percentage above/below authorized: -23.3;
Navy Reserve Authorized level: 959;
Navy Reserve End strength: 805;
Navy Reserve Percentage above/below authorized: -16.1;
Air Force Reserve Authorized level: 817;
Air Force Reserve End strength: 662;
Air Force Reserve Percentage above/below authorized: -19.0.
Air National Guard Authorized level: 683;
Air National Guard End strength: 443;
Air National Guard Percentage above/below authorized: -35.1;
Fiscal year: 2005;
Army Reserve Authorized level: 1,849;
Army Reserve End strength: 1,709;
Army Reserve Percentage above/below authorized: -7.6;
Army National Guard Authorized level: 804;
Army National Guard End strength: 564;
Army National Guard Percentage above/below authorized: -29.9;
Navy Reserve Authorized level: 752;
Navy Reserve End strength: 675;
Navy Reserve Percentage above/below authorized: -10.2;
Air Force Reserve Authorized level: 725;
Air Force Reserve End strength: 636;
Air Force Reserve Percentage above/below authorized: -12.3.
Air National Guard Authorized level: 683;
Air National Guard End strength: 445;
Air National Guard Percentage above/below authorized: -34.8;
Fiscal year: 2006;
Army Reserve Authorized level: 1,670;
Army Reserve End strength: 1,635;
Army Reserve Percentage above/below authorized: -2.1;
Army National Guard Authorized level: 841;
Army National Guard End strength: 576;
Army National Guard Percentage above/below authorized: -31.5;
Navy Reserve Authorized level: 730;
Navy Reserve End strength: 562;
Navy Reserve Percentage above/below authorized: -23;
Air Force Reserve Authorized level: 782;
Air Force Reserve End strength: 609;
Air Force Reserve Percentage above/below authorized: -22.1.
Air National Guard Authorized level: 677;
Air National Guard End strength: 440;
Air National Guard Percentage above/below authorized: -35.0;
Fiscal year: 2007;
Army Reserve Authorized level: 1,812;
Army Reserve End strength: 1,522;
Army Reserve Percentage above/below authorized: -60.0;
Army National Guard Authorized level: 791;
Army National Guard End strength: 490;
Army National Guard Percentage above/below authorized: -38.1;
Navy Reserve Authorized level: 725;
Navy Reserve End strength: 501;
Navy Reserve Percentage above/below authorized: -30.9;
Air Force Reserve Authorized level: 771;
Air Force Reserve End strength: 590;
Air Force Reserve Percentage above/below authorized: -23.5.
Air National Guard Authorized level: 747;
Air National Guard End strength: 447;
Air National Guard Percentage above/below authorized: -40.2;
Notes: The data are from GAO analysis of primary specialty tables
(table RA7) within the Health Manpower Statistics reports. GAO did not
independently verify the validity of authorizations or end strength
numbers. Authorizations are defined as the number of positions in which
resources have been allocated to fulfill the services' medical mission.
End strength numbers represent the number of medical personnel at the
end of the fiscal year.
[A] We analyzed authorizations and end strength data for the selected
reserve since data were only available for those personnel.
[End of table]
Table 18: Differences between Active Duty Dentist Authorizations and
End Strengths for Fiscal Years 2001 through 2008 by Service:
Fiscal year: 2001;
Army Authorized level: 1,139;
Army End strength: 999;
Army Percentage above/below authorized: -12.2;
Navy Authorized level: 1,373;
Navy End strength: 1,343;
Navy Percentage above/below authorized: -2.2;
Air Force Authorized level: 1,037;
Air Force End strength: 1,000;
Air Force Percentage above/below authorized: -3.6.
Fiscal year: 2002;
Army Authorized level: 1,136;
Army End strength: 987;
Army Percentage above/below authorized: -13.1;
Navy Authorized level: 1,370;
Navy End strength: 1,294;
Navy Percentage above/below authorized: -5.5;
Air Force Authorized level: 1,044;
Air Force End strength: 1,022;
Air Force Percentage above/below authorized: -2.1.
Fiscal year: 2003;
Army Authorized level: 1,138;
Army End strength: 979;
Army Percentage above/below authorized: -14;
Navy Authorized level: 1,361;
Navy End strength: 1,248;
Navy Percentage above/below authorized: -8.3;
Air Force Authorized level: 1,032;
Air Force End strength: 899;
Air Force Percentage above/below authorized: -12.9.
Fiscal year: 2004;
Army Authorized level: 1,139;
Army End strength: 957;
Army Percentage above/below authorized: -16.0;
Navy Authorized level: 1,359;
Navy End strength: 1,205;
Navy Percentage above/below authorized: -11.3;
Air Force Authorized level: 1,066;
Air Force End strength: 1,010;
Air Force Percentage above/below authorized: -5.3.
Fiscal year: 2005;
Army Authorized level: 1,139;
Army End strength: 944;
Army Percentage above/below authorized: -17.1;
Navy Authorized level: 1,246;
Navy End strength: 1,130;
Navy Percentage above/below authorized: -9.3;
Air Force Authorized level: 1,013;
Air Force End strength: 961;
Air Force Percentage above/below authorized: -5.1.
Fiscal year: 2006;
Army Authorized level: 1,104;
Army End strength: 932;
Army Percentage above/below authorized: -15.6;
Navy Authorized level: 1,210;
Navy End strength: 1,058;
Navy Percentage above/below authorized: -12.6;
Air Force Authorized level: 984;
Air Force End strength: 927;
Air Force Percentage above/below authorized: -5.8.
Fiscal year: 2007;
Army Authorized level: 1,104;
Army End strength: 933;
Army Percentage above/below authorized: -15.5;
Navy Authorized level: 1,167;
Navy End strength: 1,008;
Navy Percentage above/below authorized: -13.6;
Air Force Authorized level: 983;
Air Force End strength: 901;
Air Force Percentage above/below authorized: -8.3.
Source: GAO analysis on service data.
Notes: The data are from GAO analysis of primary specialty tables
(table A9) within the Health Manpower Statistics reports. GAO did not
independently verify the validity of authorizations or end strength
numbers. Authorizations are defined as the number of positions in which
resources have been allocated to fulfill the services' medical mission.
End strength numbers represent the number of medical personnel at the
end of the fiscal year.
[End of table]
Table 19: Differences between Reserve[A] Component Dentist
Authorizations and End Strengths for Fiscal Years 2001 through 2008:
Fiscal year: 2001;
Army Reserve Authorized level: 591;
Army Reserve End strength: 621;
Army Reserve Percentage above/below authorized: 5.1;
Army National Guard Authorized level: 286;
Army National Guard End strength: 209;
Army National Guard Percentage above/below authorized: -26.9;
Navy Reserve Authorized level: 281;
Navy Reserve End strength: 377;
Navy Reserve Percentage above/below authorized: 34.2;
Air Force Reserve Authorized level: 191;
Air Force Reserve End strength: 192;
Air Force Reserve Percentage above/below authorized: 0.5.
Air National Guard Authorized level: 185;
Air National Guard End strength: 169;
Air National Guard Percentage above/below authorized: -8.6;
Fiscal year: 2002;
Army Reserve Authorized level: 590;
Army Reserve End strength: 672;
Army Reserve Percentage above/below authorized: 13.9;
Army National Guard Authorized level: 285;
Army National Guard End strength: 216;
Army National Guard Percentage above/below authorized: -24.2;
Navy Reserve Authorized level: 282;
Navy Reserve End strength: 374;
Navy Reserve Percentage above/below authorized: 32.6;
Air Force Reserve Authorized level: 192;
Air Force Reserve End strength: 191;
Air Force Reserve Percentage above/below authorized: -0.5.
Air National Guard Authorized level: 187;
Air National Guard End strength: 179;
Air National Guard Percentage above/below authorized: -4.3;
Fiscal year: 2003;
Army Reserve Authorized level: 656;
Army Reserve End strength: 635;
Army Reserve Percentage above/below authorized: -3.2;
Army National Guard Authorized level: 283;
Army National Guard End strength: 207;
Army National Guard Percentage above/below authorized: -20.9;
Navy Reserve Authorized level: 282;
Navy Reserve End strength: 334;
Navy Reserve Percentage above/below authorized: 18.4;
Air Force Reserve Authorized level: 212;
Air Force Reserve End strength: 166;
Air Force Reserve Percentage above/below authorized: -21.7.
Air National Guard Authorized level: 193;
Air National Guard End strength: 159;
Air National Guard Percentage above/below authorized: -17;
Fiscal year: 2004;
Army Reserve Authorized level: 651;
Army Reserve End strength: 575;
Army Reserve Percentage above/below authorized: -11.7;
Army National Guard Authorized level: 284;
Army National Guard End strength: 200;
Army National Guard Percentage above/below authorized: -29.6;
Navy Reserve Authorized level: 296;
Navy Reserve End strength: 305;
Navy Reserve Percentage above/below authorized: 3.0;
Air Force Reserve Authorized level: 218;
Air Force Reserve End strength: 177;
Air Force Reserve Percentage above/below authorized: -18.8.
Air National Guard Authorized level: 196;
Air National Guard End strength: 147;
Air National Guard Percentage above/below authorized: -25;
Fiscal year: 2005;
Army Reserve Authorized level: 639;
Army Reserve End strength: 518;
Army Reserve Percentage above/below authorized: -18.9;
Army National Guard Authorized level: 286;
Army National Guard End strength: 175;
Army National Guard Percentage above/below authorized: -38.8;
Navy Reserve Authorized level: 273;
Navy Reserve End strength: 256;
Navy Reserve Percentage above/below authorized: -6.2;
Air Force Reserve Authorized level: 197;
Air Force Reserve End strength: 170;
Air Force Reserve Percentage above/below authorized: -13.7.
Air National Guard Authorized level: 196;
Air National Guard End strength: 137;
Air National Guard Percentage above/below authorized: -30.1;
Fiscal year: 2006;
Army Reserve Authorized level: 586;
Army Reserve End strength: 495;
Army Reserve Percentage above/below authorized: -15.5;
Army National Guard Authorized level: 290;
Army National Guard End strength: 169;
Army National Guard Percentage above/below authorized: -41.7;
Navy Reserve Authorized level: 256;
Navy Reserve End strength: 240;
Navy Reserve Percentage above/below authorized: -6.3;
Air Force Reserve Authorized level: 213;
Air Force Reserve End strength: 175;
Air Force Reserve Percentage above/below authorized: -17.8.
Air National Guard Authorized level: 197;
Air National Guard End strength: 131;
Air National Guard Percentage above/below authorized: -33.5;
Fiscal year: 2007;
Army Reserve Authorized level: 671;
Army Reserve End strength: 429;
Army Reserve Percentage above/below authorized: -36.1;
Army National Guard Authorized level: 279;
Army National Guard End strength: 161;
Army National Guard Percentage above/below authorized: -42.3;
Navy Reserve Authorized level: 257;
Navy Reserve End strength: 218;
Navy Reserve Percentage above/below authorized: -15.2;
Air Force Reserve Authorized level: 211;
Air Force Reserve End strength: 174;
Air Force Reserve Percentage above/below authorized: -17.5.
Air National Guard Authorized level: 134;
Air National Guard End strength: 118;
Air National Guard Percentage above/below authorized: -11.9;
Notes: The data are from GAO analysis of primary specialty tables
(table R9) within the Health Manpower Statistics reports. GAO did not
independently verify the validity of authorizations or end strength
numbers. Authorizations are defined as the number of positions in which
resources have been allocated to fulfill the services' medical mission.
End strength numbers represent the number of medical personnel at the
end of the fiscal year.
[A] We analyzed authorizations and end strength data for the selected
reserve since data were only available for those personnel.
[End of table]
Table 20: Differences between Active Duty Nurse Authorizations and End
Strengths for Fiscal Years 2001 through 2008 by Service:
Fiscal year: 2001;
Army Authorized level: 3,381;
Army End strength: 3,250;
Army Percentage above/below authorized: -3.9;
Navy Authorized level: 3,177;
Navy End strength: 3,145;
Navy Percentage above/below authorized: -1.0;
Air Force Authorized level: 3,984;
Air Force End strength: 3,714;
Air Force Percentage above/below authorized: -6.8.
Fiscal year: 2002;
Army Authorized level: 3,400;
Army End strength: 3,170;
Army Percentage above/below authorized: -6.8;
Navy Authorized level: 3,179;
Navy End strength: 3,157;
Navy Percentage above/below authorized: -0.7;
Air Force Authorized level: 3,962;
Air Force End strength: 3,865;
Air Force Percentage above/below authorized: -2.4.
Fiscal year: 2003;
Army Authorized level: 3,392;
Army End strength: 3,213;
Army Percentage above/below authorized: -5.3;
Navy Authorized level: 3,176;
Navy End strength: 3,038;
Navy Percentage above/below authorized: -4.3;
Air Force Authorized level: 3,895;
Air Force End strength: 3,733;
Air Force Percentage above/below authorized: -4.2.
Fiscal year: 2004;
Army Authorized level: 3,415;
Army End strength: 3,157;
Army Percentage above/below authorized: -7.6;
Navy Authorized level: 3,176;
Navy End strength: 3,038;
Navy Percentage above/below authorized: -4.3;
Air Force Authorized level: 3,895;
Air Force End strength: 3,733;
Air Force Percentage above/below authorized: -4.2.
Fiscal year: 2005;
Army Authorized level: 3,415;
Army End strength: 3,089;
Army Percentage above/below authorized: -9.5;
Navy Authorized level: 3,095;
Navy End strength: 2,934;
Navy Percentage above/below authorized: -5.2;
Air Force Authorized level: 3,766;
Air Force End strength: 3,529;
Air Force Percentage above/below authorized: -6.3.
Fiscal year: 2006;
Army Authorized level: 3,406;
Army End strength: 3,134;
Army Percentage above/below authorized: -8.0;
Navy Authorized level: 3,092;
Navy End strength: 2,829;
Navy Percentage above/below authorized: -8.5;
Air Force Authorized level: 3,713;
Air Force End strength: 3,429;
Air Force Percentage above/below authorized: -7.6.
Fiscal year: 2007;
Army Authorized level: 3,393;
Army End strength: 3,241;
Army Percentage above/below authorized: -4.5;
Navy Authorized level: 3,063;
Navy End strength: 2,803;
Navy Percentage above/below authorized: -8.5;
Air Force Authorized level: 3,666;
Air Force End strength: 3,289;
Air Force Percentage above/below authorized: -10.3.
Source: GAO analysis on service data.
Notes: The data are from GAO analysis of primary specialty tables
(table A10) within the Health Manpower Statistics reports. GAO did not
independently verify the validity of authorizations or end strength
numbers. Authorizations are defined as the number of positions in which
resources have been allocated to fulfill the services' medical mission.
End strength numbers represent the number of medical personnel at the
end of the fiscal year.
[End of table]
Table 21: Differences between Reserve[A] Component Nurse Authorizations
and End Strengths for Fiscal Years 2001 through 2008:
Fiscal year: 2001;
Army Reserve Authorized level: 5,743;
Army Reserve End strength: 6,045;
Army Reserve Percentage above/below authorized: 5.3;
Army National Guard Authorized level: 710;
Army National Guard End strength: 763;
Army National Guard Percentage above/below authorized: 7.5;
Navy Reserve Authorized level: 1,921;
Navy Reserve End strength: 1,829;
Navy Reserve Percentage above/below authorized: -4.3;
Air Force Reserve Authorized level: 2,319;
Air Force Reserve End strength: 2,291;
Air Force Reserve Percentage above/below authorized: -1.2.
Air National Guard Authorized level: 823;
Air National Guard End strength: 834;
Air National Guard Percentage above/below authorized: 1.3;
Fiscal year: 2002;
Army Reserve Authorized level: 5,608;
Army Reserve End strength: 5,918;
Army Reserve Percentage above/below authorized: 5.5;
Army National Guard Authorized level: 727;
Army National Guard End strength: 738;
Army National Guard Percentage above/below authorized: 1.5;
Navy Reserve Authorized level: 1,936;
Navy Reserve End strength: 1,838;
Navy Reserve Percentage above/below authorized: -5.1;
Air Force Reserve Authorized level: 2,301;
Air Force Reserve End strength: 2,354;
Air Force Reserve Percentage above/below authorized: 2.3.
Air National Guard Authorized level: 816;
Air National Guard End strength: 839;
Air National Guard Percentage above/below authorized: 2.8;
Fiscal year: 2003;
Army Reserve Authorized level: 6,097;
Army Reserve End strength: 5,837;
Army Reserve Percentage above/below authorized: -4.3;
Army National Guard Authorized level: 678;
Army National Guard End strength: 716;
Army National Guard Percentage above/below authorized: 5.6;
Navy Reserve Authorized level: 1,936;
Navy Reserve End strength: 1,865;
Navy Reserve Percentage above/below authorized: -3.7;
Air Force Reserve Authorized level: 2,224;
Air Force Reserve End strength: 2,218;
Air Force Reserve Percentage above/below authorized: -0.3.
Air National Guard Authorized level: 915;
Air National Guard End strength: 778;
Air National Guard Percentage above/below authorized: -15;
Fiscal year: 2004;
Army Reserve Authorized level: 5,751;
Army Reserve End strength: 5,589;
Army Reserve Percentage above/below authorized: -2.8;
Army National Guard Authorized level: 675;
Army National Guard End strength: 673;
Army National Guard Percentage above/below authorized: -0.3;
Navy Reserve Authorized level: 1,787;
Navy Reserve End strength: 1,832;
Navy Reserve Percentage above/below authorized: 2.5;
Air Force Reserve Authorized level: 2,252;
Air Force Reserve End strength: 2,147;
Air Force Reserve Percentage above/below authorized: -4.7.
Air National Guard Authorized level: 918;
Air National Guard End strength: 785;
Air National Guard Percentage above/below authorized: -14.5;
Fiscal year: 2005;
Army Reserve Authorized level: 5,191;
Army Reserve End strength: 5,253;
Army Reserve Percentage above/below authorized: 1.2;
Army National Guard Authorized level: 675;
Army National Guard End strength: 637;
Army National Guard Percentage above/below authorized: -5.6;
Navy Reserve Authorized level: 1,349;
Navy Reserve End strength: 1,591;
Navy Reserve Percentage above/below authorized: 17.9;
Air Force Reserve Authorized level: 2,029;
Air Force Reserve End strength: 2,011;
Air Force Reserve Percentage above/below authorized: -0.9.
Air National Guard Authorized level: 918;
Air National Guard End strength: 789;
Air National Guard Percentage above/below authorized: -14.1;
Fiscal year: 2006;
Army Reserve Authorized level: 4,494;
Army Reserve End strength: 5,101;
Army Reserve Percentage above/below authorized: 13.5;
Army National Guard Authorized level: 679;
Army National Guard End strength: 646;
Army National Guard Percentage above/below authorized: -4.9;
Navy Reserve Authorized level: 1,339;
Navy Reserve End strength: 1,329;
Navy Reserve Percentage above/below authorized: -0.7;
Air Force Reserve Authorized level: 1,981;
Air Force Reserve End strength: 1,880;
Air Force Reserve Percentage above/below authorized: -5.1.
Air National Guard Authorized level: 938;
Air National Guard End strength: 820;
Air National Guard Percentage above/below authorized: -12.6;
Fiscal year: 2007;
Army Reserve Authorized level: 4,567;
Army Reserve End strength: 4,876;
Army Reserve Percentage above/below authorized: 6.8;
Army National Guard Authorized level: 615;
Army National Guard End strength: 665;
Army National Guard Percentage above/below authorized: 8.1;
Navy Reserve Authorized level: 1,353;
Navy Reserve End strength: 1,266;
Navy Reserve Percentage above/below authorized: -6.4;
Air Force Reserve Authorized level: 1,967;
Air Force Reserve End strength: 1,771;
Air Force Reserve Percentage above/below authorized: -10.0.
Air National Guard Authorized level: 922;
Air National Guard End strength: 847;
Air National Guard Percentage above/below authorized: -8.1;
Notes: The data are from GAO analysis of primary specialty tables
(table R10A) within the Health Manpower Statistics reports. GAO did not
independently verify the validity of authorizations or end strength
numbers. Authorizations are defined as the number of positions in which
resources have been allocated to fulfill the services' medical mission.
End strength numbers represent the number of medical personnel at the
end of the fiscal year.
[A] We analyzed authorizations and end strength data for the selected
reserve since data were only available for those personnel.
[End of table]
Table 22: Differences between Active Duty Other Medical Officer
Authorizations and End Strengths for Fiscal Years 2001 through
2008 by Service:
Fiscal year: 2001;
Army Authorized level: 5,362;
Army End strength: 5,346;
Army Percentage above/below authorized: -0.3;
Navy Authorized level: 2,729;
Navy End strength: 2,655;
Navy Percentage above/below authorized: -2.7;
Air Force Authorized level: 3,486;
Air Force End strength: 3,470;
Air Force Percentage above/below authorized: -0.5.
Fiscal year: 2002;
Army Authorized level: 5,396;
Army End strength: 5,484;
Army Percentage above/below authorized: 1.6;
Navy Authorized level: 2,725;
Navy End strength: 2,682;
Navy Percentage above/below authorized: -1.6;
Air Force Authorized level: 3,480;
Air Force End strength: 3,742;
Air Force Percentage above/below authorized: 7.5.
Fiscal year: 2003;
Army Authorized level: 5,465;
Army End strength: 5,557;
Army Percentage above/below authorized: 1.7;
Navy Authorized level: 2,742;
Navy End strength: 2,663;
Navy Percentage above/below authorized: -2.9;
Air Force Authorized level: 3,681;
Air Force End strength: 3,857;
Air Force Percentage above/below authorized: 4.8.
Fiscal year: 2004;
Army Authorized level: 4,283;
Army End strength: 5,675;
Army Percentage above/below authorized: 32.5;
Navy Authorized level: 2,767;
Navy End strength: 2,627;
Navy Percentage above/below authorized: -5.1;
Air Force Authorized level: 3,724;
Air Force End strength: 3,904;
Air Force Percentage above/below authorized: 4.8.
Fiscal year: 2005;
Army Authorized level: 5,460;
Army End strength: 5,691;
Army Percentage above/below authorized: 4.2;
Navy Authorized level: 2,587;
Navy End strength: 2,490;
Navy Percentage above/below authorized: -3.7;
Air Force Authorized level: 3,506;
Air Force End strength: 3,772;
Air Force Percentage above/below authorized: 7.6.
Fiscal year: 2006;
Army Authorized level: 5,913;
Army End strength: 5,839;
Army Percentage above/below authorized: -1.3;
Navy Authorized level: 2,563;
Navy End strength: 2,363;
Navy Percentage above/below authorized: -7.8;
Air Force Authorized level: 3,713;
Air Force End strength: 3,429;
Air Force Percentage above/below authorized: -7.6.
Fiscal year: 2007;
Army Authorized level: 5,949;
Army End strength: 6,057;
Army Percentage above/below authorized: 1.8;
Navy Authorized level: 2,562;
Navy End strength: 2,293;
Navy Percentage above/below authorized: -10.5;
Air Force Authorized level: 3,406;
Air Force End strength: 3,204;
Air Force Percentage above/below authorized: -5.9.
Source: GAO analysis on service data.
Notes: The data are from GAO analysis of primary specialty tables
(table A10) within the Health Manpower Statistics reports. GAO did not
independently verify the validity of authorizations or end strength
numbers. Authorizations are defined as the number of positions in which
resources have been allocated to fulfill the services' medical mission.
End strength numbers represent the number of medical personnel at the
end of the fiscal year.
[End of table]
Table 23: Differences between Reserve[A] Component Other Medical
Officer Authorizations and End Strengths for Fiscal Years 2001 through
2008:
Fiscal year: 2001;
Army Reserve Authorized level: 2,448;
Army Reserve End strength: 3,762;
Army Reserve Percentage above/below authorized: 53.7;
Army National Guard Authorized level: 1,890;
Army National Guard End strength: 1,481;
Army National Guard Percentage above/below authorized: -21.6;
Navy Reserve Authorized level: 455;
Navy Reserve End strength: 646;
Navy Reserve Percentage above/below authorized: 42.0;
Air Force Reserve Authorized level: 988;
Air Force Reserve End strength: 1,076;
Air Force Reserve Percentage above/below authorized: 8.9.
Air National Guard Authorized level: 733;
Air National Guard End strength: 696;
Air National Guard Percentage above/below authorized: -5.0.
Fiscal year: 2002;
Army Reserve Authorized level: 2,517;
Army Reserve End strength: 4,068;
Army Reserve Percentage above/below authorized: 61.6;
Army National Guard Authorized level: 1,886;
Army National Guard End strength: 1,870;
Army National Guard Percentage above/below authorized: -0.8;
Navy Reserve Authorized level: 457;
Navy Reserve End strength: 581;
Navy Reserve Percentage above/below authorized: 271;
Air Force Reserve Authorized level: 937;
Air Force Reserve End strength: 1,148;
Air Force Reserve Percentage above/below authorized: 22.5.
Air National Guard Authorized level: 726;
Air National Guard End strength: 725;
Air National Guard Percentage above/below authorized: -0.1.
Fiscal year: 2003;
Army Reserve Authorized level: 2,951;
Army Reserve End strength: 4,033;
Army Reserve Percentage above/below authorized: 36.7;
Army National Guard Authorized level: 1,869;
Army National Guard End strength: 1,946;
Army National Guard Percentage above/below authorized: 4.1;
Navy Reserve Authorized level: 430;
Navy Reserve End strength: 570;
Navy Reserve Percentage above/below authorized: 32.6;
Air Force Reserve Authorized level: 940;
Air Force Reserve End strength: 1,128;
Air Force Reserve Percentage above/below authorized: 20.
Air National Guard Authorized level: 752;
Air National Guard End strength: 704;
Air National Guard Percentage above/below authorized: -6.4.
Fiscal year: 2004;
Army Reserve Authorized level: 3.062;
Army Reserve End strength: 3,819;
Army Reserve Percentage above/below authorized: 24.7;
Army National Guard Authorized level: 1,879;
Army National Guard End strength: 1,735;
Army National Guard Percentage above/below authorized: -7.7;
Navy Reserve Authorized level: 447;
Navy Reserve End strength: 538;
Navy Reserve Percentage above/below authorized: 20.4;
Air Force Reserve Authorized level: 955;
Air Force Reserve End strength: 1,103;
Air Force Reserve Percentage above/below authorized: 15.5.
Air National Guard Authorized level: 773;
Air National Guard End strength: 688;
Air National Guard Percentage above/below authorized: -11.0.
Fiscal year: 2005;
Army Reserve Authorized level: 2,876;
Army Reserve End strength: 3,632;
Army Reserve Percentage above/below authorized: 26.3;
Army National Guard Authorized level: 1,936;
Army National Guard End strength: 1,783;
Army National Guard Percentage above/below authorized: -7.9
Navy Reserve Authorized level: 373;
Navy Reserve End strength: 499;
Navy Reserve Percentage above/below authorized: 33.8;
Air Force Reserve Authorized level: 848;
Air Force Reserve End strength: 1,058;
Air Force Reserve Percentage above/below authorized: 24.8.
Air National Guard Authorized level: 768;
Air National Guard End strength: 708;
Air National Guard Percentage above/below authorized: -7.8;
Fiscal year: 2006;
Army Reserve Authorized level: 2,794;
Army Reserve End strength: 3,607;
Army Reserve Percentage above/below authorized: 29.1;
Army National Guard Authorized level: 2,132;
Army National Guard End strength: 2,031;
Army National Guard Percentage above/below authorized: -4.7;
Navy Reserve Authorized level: 346;
Navy Reserve End strength: 399;
Navy Reserve Percentage above/below authorized: 15.3;
Air Force Reserve Authorized level: 952;
Air Force Reserve End strength: 990;
Air Force Reserve Percentage above/below authorized: 4.0.
Air National Guard Authorized level: 747;
Air National Guard End strength: 725;
Air National Guard Percentage above/below authorized: -2.9;
Fiscal year: 2007;
Army Reserve Authorized level: 3,196;
Army Reserve End strength: 3,460;
Army Reserve Percentage above/below authorized: 8.3;
Army National Guard Authorized level: 2,198;
Army National Guard End strength: 2,160;
Army National Guard Percentage above/below authorized: -1.7;
Navy Reserve Authorized level: 354;
Navy Reserve End strength: 395;
Navy Reserve Percentage above/below authorized: 11.6;
Air Force Reserve Authorized level: 951;
Air Force Reserve End strength: 947;
Air Force Reserve Percentage above/below authorized: -0.4.
Air National Guard Authorized level: 849;
Air National Guard End strength: 746;
Air National Guard Percentage above/below authorized: -12.1;
Notes: The data are from GAO analysis of primary specialty tables
(table R10A) within the Health Manpower Statistics reports. GAO did not
independently verify the validity of authorizations or end strength
numbers. Authorizations are defined as the number of positions in which
resources have been allocated to fulfill the services' medical mission.
End strength numbers represent the number of medical personnel at the
end of the fiscal year.
[A] We analyzed authorizations and end strength data for the selected
reserve since data were only available for those personnel.
[End of table]
[End of appendix]
Appendix V: End Strength:
Table 24: Active and Reserve[A] Components Consistently below
Authorized Physician Specialties for Fiscal Years 2005 through 2007:
Occupational specialty title: Allergy/immunology;
Army: [Empty];
Navy: [Check];
Air Force: [Check];
Army Reserve: [Empty];
Army National Guard: [Empty];
Navy Reserve: [Empty];
Air Force Reserve: [Empty];
Air National Guard: [Empty];
Number of components with specialty consistently below authorizations:
2.
Occupational specialty title: Anesthesiology;
Army: [Check];
Navy: [Empty];
Air Force: [Empty];
Army Reserve: [Check];
Army National Guard: [Empty];
Navy Reserve: [Check];
Air Force Reserve: [Check];
Air National Guard: [Empty];
Number of components with specialty consistently below authorizations:
4.
Occupational specialty title: Aviation/aerospace medicine;
Army: [Empty];
Navy: [Empty];
Air Force: [Check];
Army Reserve: v
Army National Guard: [Check];
Navy Reserve: [Check];
Air Force Reserve: [Check];
Air National Guard: [Check];
Number of components with specialty consistently below authorizations:
5.
Occupational specialty title: Cardiac/thoracic surgery;
Army: [Empty];
Navy: [Check];
Air Force: [Empty];
Army Reserve: [Check];
Army National Guard: [Empty];
Navy Reserve: [Empty];
Air Force Reserve: [Empty];
Air National Guard: [Empty];
Number of components with specialty consistently below authorizations:
2.
Occupational specialty title: Cardiology/cardiovascular;
Army: [Empty];
Navy: [Empty];
Air Force: [Check];
Army Reserve: [Empty];
Army National Guard: [Empty];
Navy Reserve: [Check];
Air Force Reserve: [Empty];
Air National Guard: [Empty];
Number of components with specialty consistently below authorizations:
2.
Occupational specialty title: Colon/rectal surgery;
Army: [Empty];
Navy: [Empty];
Air Force: [Empty];
Army Reserve: [Empty];
Army National Guard: [Empty];
Navy Reserve: [Check];
Air Force Reserve: [Empty];
Air National Guard: [Empty];
Number of components with specialty consistently below authorizations:
1.
Occupational specialty title: Family practice;
Army: [Check];
Navy: [Check];
Air Force: [Empty];
Army Reserve: [Empty];
Army National Guard: [Empty];
Navy Reserve: [Empty];
Air Force Reserve: [Empty];
Air National Guard: [Empty];
Number of components with specialty consistently below authorizations:
2.
Occupational specialty title: Gastroenterology;
Army: [Empty];
Navy: [Empty];
Air Force: [Check];
Army Reserve: [Empty];
Army National Guard: [Empty];
Navy Reserve: [Check];
Air Force Reserve: [Empty];
Air National Guard: [Empty];
Number of components with specialty consistently below authorizations:
2.
Occupational specialty title: General medicine;
Army: [Empty];
Navy: [Check];
Air Force: [Empty];
Army Reserve: [Empty];
Army National Guard: [Check];
Navy Reserve: [Check];
Air Force Reserve: [Empty];
Air National Guard: [Empty];
Number of components with specialty consistently below authorizations:
3.
Occupational specialty title: General surgery;
Army: [Empty];
Navy: [Check];
Air Force: [Empty];
Army Reserve: [Check];
Army National Guard: [Empty];
Navy Reserve: [Check];
Air Force Reserve: [Check];
Air National Guard: [Check];
Number of components with specialty consistently below authorizations:
5.
Occupational specialty title: Hematology/oncology;
Army: [Empty];
Navy: [Empty];
Air Force: [Check];
Army Reserve: [Empty];
Army National Guard: [Empty];
Navy Reserve: [Empty];
Air Force Reserve: [Empty];
Air National Guard: [Empty];
Number of components with specialty consistently below authorizations:
1.
Occupational specialty title: Infectious disease;
Army: [Empty];
Navy: [Empty];
Air Force: [Check];
Army Reserve: [Check];
Army National Guard: [Empty];
Navy Reserve: [Check];
Air Force Reserve: [Check];
Air National Guard: [Empty];
Number of components with specialty consistently below authorizations:
4.
Occupational specialty title: Internal Medicine;
Army: [Empty];
Navy: [Empty];
Air Force: [Empty];
Army Reserve: [Empty];
Army National Guard: [Empty];
Navy Reserve: [Empty];
Air Force Reserve: [Empty];
Air National Guard: [Check];
Number of components with specialty consistently below authorizations:
1.
Occupational specialty title: Nephrology;
Army: [Empty];
Navy: [Empty];
Air Force: [Empty];
Army Reserve: [Empty];
Army National Guard: [Empty];
Navy Reserve: [Check];
Air Force Reserve: [Empty];
Air National Guard: [Empty];
Number of components with specialty consistently below authorizations:
1.
Occupational specialty title: Neurological surgery;
Army: [Check];
Navy: [Empty];
Air Force: [Check];
Army Reserve: [Empty];
Army National Guard: [Empty];
Navy Reserve: [Empty];
Air Force Reserve: [Empty];
Air National Guard: [Empty];
Number of components with specialty consistently below authorizations:
2.
Occupational specialty title: Obstetrics/gynecology;
Army: [Empty];
Navy: [Empty];
Air Force: [Empty];
Army Reserve: [Empty];
Army National Guard: [Empty];
Navy Reserve: [Check];
Air Force Reserve: [Empty];
Air National Guard: [Empty];
Number of components with specialty consistently below authorizations:
1.
Occupational specialty title: Ophthalmology;
Army: [Empty];
Navy: [Empty];
Air Force: [Empty];
Army Reserve: [Check];
Army National Guard: [Empty];
Navy Reserve: [Empty];
Air Force Reserve: [Empty];
Air National Guard: [Empty];
Number of components with specialty consistently below authorizations:
1.
Occupational specialty title: Orthopedic surgery;
Army: [Empty];
Navy: [Empty];
Air Force: [Empty];
Army Reserve: [Check];
Army National Guard: [Empty];
Navy Reserve: [Check];
Air Force Reserve: [Check];
Air National Guard: [Check];
Number of components with specialty consistently below authorizations:
4.
Occupational specialty title: Pathology;
Army: [Empty];
Navy: [Empty];
Air Force: [Check];
Army Reserve: [Empty];
Army National Guard: [Empty];
Navy Reserve: [Empty];
Air Force Reserve: [Empty];
Air National Guard: [Empty];
Number of components with specialty consistently below authorizations:
1.
Occupational specialty title: Peripheral vascular surgery;
Army: [Empty];
Navy: [Empty];
Air Force: [Check];
Army Reserve: [Empty];
Army National Guard: [Empty];
Navy Reserve: [Empty];
Air Force Reserve: [Empty];
Air National Guard: [Empty];
Number of components with specialty consistently below authorizations:
1.
Occupational specialty title: Plastic surgery;
Army: [Empty];
Navy: [Empty];
Air Force: [Check];
Army Reserve: [Empty];
Army National Guard: [Empty];
Navy Reserve: [Empty];
Air Force Reserve: [Empty];
Air National Guard: [Empty];
Number of components with specialty consistently below authorizations:
1.
Occupational specialty title: Preventive and occupational medicine;
Army: [Empty];
Navy: [Check];
Air Force: [Empty];
Army Reserve: [Empty];
Army National Guard: [Empty];
Navy Reserve: [Empty];
Air Force Reserve: [Empty];
Air National Guard: [Empty];
Number of components with specialty consistently below authorizations:
1.
Occupational specialty title: Psychiatry;
Army: [Check];
Navy: [Empty];
Air Force: [Empty];
Army Reserve: [Empty];
Army National Guard: [Empty];
Navy Reserve: [Check];
Air Force Reserve: [Empty];
Air National Guard: [Empty];
Number of components with specialty consistently below authorizations:
2.
Occupational specialty title: Pulmonary disease;
Army: [Empty];
Navy: [Empty];
Air Force: [Check];
Army Reserve: [Check];
Army National Guard: [Empty];
Navy Reserve: [Check];
Air Force Reserve: [Empty];
Air National Guard: [Empty];
Number of components with specialty consistently below authorizations:
3.
Occupational specialty title: Radiology;
Army: [Check];
Navy: [Check];
Air Force: [Empty];
Army Reserve: [Empty];
Army National Guard: [Empty];
Navy Reserve: [Empty];
Air Force Reserve: [Empty];
Air National Guard: [Empty];
Number of components with specialty consistently below authorizations:
2.
Occupational specialty title: Rheumatology;
Army: [Empty];
Navy: [Empty];
Air Force: [Check];
Army Reserve: [Empty];
Army National Guard: [Empty];
Navy Reserve: [Empty];
Air Force Reserve: [Empty];
Air National Guard: [Empty];
Number of components with specialty consistently below authorizations:
1.
Occupational specialty title: Urology;
Army: [Empty];
Navy: [Empty];
Air Force: [Check];
Army Reserve: [Empty];
Army National Guard: [Empty];
Navy Reserve: [Empty];
Air Force Reserve: [Empty];
Air National Guard: [Empty];
Number of components with specialty consistently below authorizations:
1.
Total number of specialties consistently below authorized level by
service:
Army: 6;
Navy: 7;
Air Force: 13;
Army Reserve: 8;
Army National Guard: 2;
Navy Reserve: 13;
Air Force Reserve: 5;
Air National Guard: 4.
Sources: GAO analysis of DOD data.
Notes: We consider an occupational specialty to be below its authorized
level if the component had one person short of its authorization. If an
occupational specialty was below authorization in each year for fiscal
years 2005 through 2007. We considered the occupational specialty
consistently below its authorizations.
[A] We analyzed authorization and end strength data for the selected
reserve since data ere only available for those personnel.
[End of table]
Table 25: Active and Reserve[A] Components Consistently below
Authorized Dentist Specialties for Fiscal Year 2005 through 2007:
Occupational specialty title: Comprehensive dentistry;
Army: [Check];
Navy: [Empty];
Air Force: [Check];
Army Reserve: [Check];
Army National Guard: [Empty];
Navy Reserve: [Empty];
Air Force Reserve: [Empty];
Air National Guard: [Empty];
Number of components with specialty consistently below authorizations:
3.
Occupational specialty title: General dentistry;
Army: [Check];
Navy: [Empty];
Air Force: [Check];
Army Reserve: [Empty];
Army National Guard: [Check];
Navy Reserve: [Check];
Air Force Reserve: [Check];
Air National Guard: [Empty];
Number of components with specialty consistently below authorizations:
5.
Occupational specialty title: Oral maxillofacial surgery;
Army: [Empty];
Navy: [Empty];
Air Force: [Empty];
Army Reserve: [Check];
Army National Guard: [Empty];
Navy Reserve: [Check];
Air Force Reserve: [Empty];
Air National Guard: [Empty];
Number of components with specialty consistently below authorizations:
2.
Occupational specialty title: Oral pathology/diagnosis;
Army: [Check];
Navy: [Empty];
Air Force: [Empty];
Army Reserve: [Empty];
Army National Guard: [Empty];
Navy Reserve: [Empty];
Air Force Reserve: [Empty];
Air National Guard: [Empty];
Number of components with specialty consistently below authorizations:
1.
Occupational specialty title: Orthodontics;
Army: [Check];
Navy: [Empty];
Air Force: [Empty];
Army Reserve: [Empty];
Army National Guard: [Empty];
Navy Reserve: [Empty];
Air Force Reserve: [Empty];
Air National Guard: [Empty];
Number of components with specialty consistently below authorizations:
1.
Occupational specialty title: Pedodontics;
Army: [Check];
Navy: [Empty];
Air Force: [Empty];
Army Reserve: [Empty];
Army National Guard: [Empty];
Navy Reserve: [Empty];
Air Force Reserve: [Empty];
Air National Guard: [Empty];
Number of components with specialty consistently below authorizations:
1.
Occupational specialty title: Prosthodontics;
Army: [Empty];
Navy: [Check];
Air Force: [Check];
Army Reserve: [Check];
Army National Guard: [Empty];
Navy Reserve: [Empty];
Air Force Reserve: [Empty];
Air National Guard: [Empty];
Number of components with specialty consistently below authorizations:
3.
Occupational specialty title: Public health dentistry;
Army: [Empty];
Navy: [Empty];
Air Force: [Empty];
Army Reserve: [Check];
Army National Guard: [Empty];
Navy Reserve: [Empty];
Air Force Reserve: [Empty];
Air National Guard: [Empty];
Number of components with specialty consistently below authorizations:
1.
Total number of specialties consistently below authorized level by
service:
Army: 5;
Navy: 1;
Air Force: 3;
Army Reserve: 4;
Army National Guard: 1;
Navy Reserve: 2;
Air Force Reserve: 1;
Air National Guard: 0.
Sources: GAO analysis of DOD data.
Notes: We consider an occupational specialty to be below its authorized
level if the component had one person short of its authorization. If an
occupational specialty was below authorization in each year for fiscal
years 2005 through 2007. We considered the occupational specialty
consistently below its authorizations.
[A] We analyzed authorization and end strength data for the selected
reserve since data ere only available for those personnel.
[End of table]
Table 26: Active and Reserve[A] Components Consistently below
Authorized Nurse Specialties for Fiscal Year 2005 through 2007:
Occupational specialty title: Critical care nurse;
Army: [Check];
Navy: [Check];
Air Force: [Empty];
Army Reserve: [Empty];
Army National Guard: [Empty];
Navy Reserve: [Empty];
Air Force Reserve: [Empty];
Air National Guard: [Empty];
Number of components with specialty consistently below authorizations:
2.
Occupational specialty title: Family nurse practitioner;
Army: [Empty];
Navy: [Empty];
Air Force: [Empty];
Army Reserve: [Check];
Army National Guard: [Empty];
Navy Reserve: [Empty];
Air Force Reserve: [Empty];
Air National Guard: [Empty];
Number of components with specialty consistently below authorizations:
1.
Occupational specialty title: Flight nurse;
Army: [Empty];
Navy: [Empty];
Air Force: [Check];
Army Reserve: [Empty];
Army National Guard: [Empty];
Navy Reserve: [Empty];
Air Force Reserve: [Check];
Air National Guard: [Check];
Number of components with specialty consistently below authorizations:
3.
Occupational specialty title: General nursing;
Army: [Empty];
Navy: [Check];
Air Force: [Empty];
Army Reserve: [Empty];
Army National Guard: [Empty];
Navy Reserve: [Empty];
Air Force Reserve: [Empty];
Air National Guard: [Empty];
Number of components with specialty consistently below authorizations:
1.
Occupational specialty title: Medical/surgical nurse;
Army: [Empty];
Navy: [Empty];
Air Force: [Empty];
Army Reserve: [[Empty];
Army National Guard: [Check];
Navy Reserve: [Empty];
Air Force Reserve: [Empty];
Air National Guard: [Empty];
Number of components with specialty consistently below authorizations:
1.
Occupational specialty title: Mental health nurse;
Army: [Empty];
Navy: [Empty];
Air Force: [Empty];
Army Reserve: [Empty];
Army National Guard: [Empty];
Navy Reserve: [Check];
Air Force Reserve: [Check];
Air National Guard: [Empty];
Number of components with specialty consistently below authorizations:
2.
Occupational specialty title: Neonatal intensive care unit nurse;
Army: [Empty];
Navy: [Empty];
Air Force: [Check];
Army Reserve: [Empty];
Army National Guard: [Empty];
Navy Reserve: [Check];
Air Force Reserve: [Empty];
Air National Guard: [Empty];
Number of components with specialty consistently below authorizations:
2.
Occupational specialty title: Nurse anesthetist;
Army: [Check];
Navy: [Empty];
Air Force: [Empty];
Army Reserve: [Empty];
Army National Guard: [Empty];
Navy Reserve: [Check];
Air Force Reserve: [Check];
Air National Guard: [Empty];
Number of components with specialty consistently below authorizations:
3.
Occupational specialty title: Nurse midwife;
Army: [Empty];
Navy: [Empty];
Air Force: [Empty];
Army Reserve: [Empty];
Army National Guard: [Empty];
Navy Reserve: [Check];
Air Force Reserve: [Empty];
Air National Guard: [Empty];
Number of components with specialty consistently below authorizations:
1.
Occupational specialty title: Obstetrics nurse;
Army: [Check];
Navy: [Empty];
Air Force: [Empty];
Army Reserve: [Empty];
Army National Guard: [Empty];
Navy Reserve: [Empty];
Air Force Reserve: [Empty];
Air National Guard: [Empty];
Number of components with specialty consistently below authorizations:
1.
Occupational specialty title: Operating room nurse;
Army: [Check];
Navy: [[Check];
Air Force: [Empty];
Army Reserve: [Empty];
Army National Guard: [Empty];
Navy Reserve: [Check];
Air Force Reserve: [Empty];
Air National Guard: [Empty];
Number of components with specialty consistently below authorizations:
3.
Occupational specialty title: Pediatric nurse practitioner;
Army: [Empty];
Navy: [Check];
Air Force: [Empty];
Army Reserve: [Empty];
Army National Guard: [Empty];
Navy Reserve: [Empty];
Air Force Reserve: [Empty];
Air National Guard: [Empty];
Number of components with specialty consistently below authorizations:
1.
Total number of specialties consistently below authorized level by
service:
Army: 4;
Navy: 4;
Air Force: 2;
Army Reserve: 1;
Army National Guard: 1;
Navy Reserve: 5;
Air Force Reserve: 3;
Air National Guard: 1.
Sources: GAO analysis of DOD data.
Notes: We consider an occupational specialty to be below its authorized
level if the component had one person short of its authorization. If an
occupational specialty was below authorization in each year for fiscal
years 2005 through 2007. We considered the occupational specialty
consistently below its authorizations.
[A] We analyzed authorization and end strength data for the selected
reserve since data ere only available for those personnel.
[End of table]
Table 27: Active and Reserve[A] Components Consistently below
Authorized Specialties for Other Medical Officers for Fiscal Year 2005
through 2007:
Occupational specialty title: Biochemistry;
Army: [Empty];
Navy: [Empty];
Air Force: [Check];
Army Reserve: [Empty];
Army National Guard: [Empty];
Navy Reserve: [Empty];
Air Force Reserve: [Empty];
Air National Guard: [Empty];
Number of components with specialty consistently below authorizations:
1.
Occupational specialty title: Bioenvironmental engineering;
Army: [Empty];
Navy: [Empty];
Air Force: [Check];
Army Reserve: [Empty];
Army National Guard: [Empty];
Navy Reserve: [Empty];
Air Force Reserve: [Empty];
Air National Guard: [Empty];
Number of components with specialty consistently below authorizations:
1.
Occupational specialty title: Entomology;
Army: [Empty];
Navy: [Empty];
Air Force: [Empty];
Army Reserve: [Empty];
Army National Guard: [Empty];
Navy Reserve: [Check];
Air Force Reserve: [Empty];
Air National Guard: [Empty];
Number of components with specialty consistently below authorizations:
1.
Occupational specialty title: Environmental health;
Army: [Empty];
Navy: [Check];
Air Force: [Check];
Army Reserve: [Empty];
Army National Guard: [Empty];
Navy Reserve: [Empty];
Air Force Reserve: [Check];
Air National Guard: [Check];
Number of components with specialty consistently below authorizations:
4.
Occupational specialty title: health services administration;
Army: [Empty];
Navy: [Check];
Air Force: [Empty];
Army Reserve: [Empty];
Army National Guard: [Empty];
Navy Reserve: [Check];
Air Force Reserve: [Empty];
Air National Guard: [Empty];
Number of components with specialty consistently below authorizations:
2.
Occupational specialty title: Industrial hygiene;
Army: [Empty];
Navy: [Empty];
Air Force: [Check];
Army Reserve: [Empty];
Army National Guard: [Empty];
Navy Reserve: [Empty];
Air Force Reserve: [Empty];
Air National Guard: [Empty];
Number of components with specialty consistently below authorizations:
1.
Occupational specialty title: Microbiology;
Army: [Empty];
Navy: [Empty];
Air Force: [Check];
Army Reserve: [Empty];
Army National Guard: [Empty];
Navy Reserve: [Empty];
Air Force Reserve: [Empty];
Air National Guard: [Empty];
Number of components with specialty consistently below authorizations:
1.
Occupational specialty title: Nuclear medicine science;
Army: [Check];
Navy: [Empty];
Air Force: [Empty];
Army Reserve: [Empty];
Army National Guard: [Check];
Navy Reserve: [Empty];
Air Force Reserve: [Empty];
Air National Guard: [Empty];
Number of components with specialty consistently below authorizations:
2.
Occupational specialty title: Optometry;
Army: [Empty];
Navy: [Empty];
Air Force: [Empty];
Army Reserve: [Check];
Army National Guard: [Check];
Navy Reserve: [Empty];
Air Force Reserve: [Empty];
Air National Guard: [Empty];
Number of components with specialty consistently below authorizations:
2.
Occupational specialty title: Pharmacy;
Army: [Check];
Navy: [Empty];
Air Force: [Empty];
Army Reserve: [Empty];
Army National Guard: [Empty];
Navy Reserve: [Empty];
Air Force Reserve: [Empty];
Air National Guard: [Check];
Number of components with specialty consistently below authorizations:
2.
Occupational specialty title: Physical therapy;
Army: [Empty];
Navy: [Empty];
Air Force: [Empty];
Army Reserve: [Empty];
Army National Guard: [Check];
Navy Reserve: [Empty];
Air Force Reserve: [Empty];
Air National Guard: [Empty];
Number of components with specialty consistently below authorizations:
1.
Occupational specialty title: Physician assistant;
Army: [Check];
Navy: [Empty];
Air Force: [Empty];
Army Reserve: [Empty];
Army National Guard: [Check];
Navy Reserve: [Empty];
Air Force Reserve: [Empty];
Air National Guard: [Empty];
Number of components with specialty consistently below authorizations:
2.
Occupational specialty title: Podiatry;
Army: [Empty];
Navy: [Empty];
Air Force: [Check];
Army Reserve: [Empty];
Army National Guard: [Empty];
Navy Reserve: [Empty];
Air Force Reserve: [Empty];
Air National Guard: [Empty];
Number of components with specialty consistently below authorizations:
1.
Occupational specialty title: Psychology;
Army: [Check];
Navy: [Check];
Air Force: [Check];
Army Reserve: [Check];
Army National Guard: [Check];
Navy Reserve: [Empty];
Air Force Reserve: [Empty];
Air National Guard: [Empty];
Number of components with specialty consistently below authorizations:
5.
Occupational specialty title: Social worker;
Army: [Check];
Navy: [Empty];
Air Force: [Check];
Army Reserve: [Empty];
Army National Guard: [Empty];
Navy Reserve: [Empty];
Air Force Reserve: [Empty];
Air National Guard: [Empty];
Number of components with specialty consistently below authorizations:
2.
Occupational specialty title: Veterinarian;
Army: [Empty];
Navy: [Empty];
Air Force: [Empty];
Army Reserve: [Check];
Army National Guard: [Empty];
Navy Reserve: [Empty];
Air Force Reserve: [Empty];
Air National Guard: [Empty];
Number of components with specialty consistently below authorizations:
1.
Total number of specialties consistently below authorized level by
service:
Army: 5;
Navy: 3;
Air Force: 8;
Army Reserve: 4;
Army National Guard: 5;
Navy Reserve: 1;
Air Force Reserve: 1;
Air National Guard: 3.
Sources: GAO analysis of DOD data.
Notes: We consider an occupational specialty to be below its authorized
level if the component had one person short of its authorization. If an
occupational specialty was below authorization in each year for fiscal
years 2005 through 2007. We considered the occupational specialty
consistently below its authorizations.
[A] We analyzed authorization and end strength data for the selected
reserve since data ere only available for those personnel.
[End of table]
[End of appendix]
[End of enclosure]
Enclosure II:
Comments from the Department of Defense:
DOD's responses to the draft briefing were technical comments.
Office Of The Assistant Secretary Of Defense:
Health Affairs:
Washington, DC 20301-1200:
April 8, 2009:
Ms. Brenda S. Farrell:
Director, Defense Capabilities and Management:
U.S. Government Accountability Office:
441 G Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20548:
Dear Ms. Farrell:
This is the Department of Defense (DoD) response to the Government
Accountability Office (GAO) draft report, GAO-09-469R, "Military Health
Care: Status of Accession, Retention, and End Strength for Military
Medical Officers and Preliminary Observations Regarding Accession and
Retention Challenges," dated April 1, 2009 (GAO Code 351333).
Thank you for the opportunity to review and comment on the draft
report. Overall, I concur with the report's findings and conclusions.
Responses to the draft report are attached.
Again, thank you for the opportunity to provide these comments. My
points of contact for additional information are Dr. Gary Matteson
(Functional) at (703) 681-8890, gary.matteson@ha.osd.mil and Mr.
Gunther Zimmerman (Audit Liaison) at (703) 681-4360,
gunther.zimmerman@.tma.osd.mil.
Sincerely,
Signed by:
Gary N. Matteson, MD, MPH, for:
Jack W. Smith, MD, MMM:
Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Clinical and Program
Policy:
Enclosures: As stated:
[End of section]
Footnotes:
[1] For the purposes of this report, we analyzed data and provided
information for medical officers only.
[2] For purposes of this report, we use the term ’medical officers“ in
place of ’health professional officers.“
[3] Some service component data were unavailable to assess for the 8-
year span. The Air Force was unable to provide data for fiscal years
2001 through 2003. The Army National Guard did not have accession goals
for fiscal years 2001 through 2007. The Air Force Reserve and the
Air National Guard did not have accession goals for fiscal years 2001
through 2008.
[4] The services do not use HPSP as a primary way to recruit nurses.
[5] We analyzed retention data for the selected reserve since data were
only available for those personnel.
[6] We calculated retention rates using data from the Health Manpower
Statistics report from the Defense Manpower Data Center. To determine
the percentage of medical officers retained by each category, first we
subtracted the number of officers who left the services in a given
fiscal year from the beginning strength for that fiscal year. Second,
we divided the difference from our calculation by the beginning
strength for that fiscal year. We did not calculate attrition rates in
our review.
[7] According to service officials, the Navy Reserve, Air Force
Reserve, and Air National Guard fiscal year 2004 retention data
contained errors, and they agreed with our decision not to include them
in our analyses.
[8] We analyzed authorization and end strength data for the selected
reserve since data were only available for those personnel.
[9] GAO did not independently verify the validity of authorizations or
end strength numbers. Authorizations are defined as the number of
positions in which resources have been allocated to fulfill the
services‘ medical mission. End strength numbers represent the actual
numbers of medical officers on board at the end of a fiscal year.
Fiscal year 2008 data were not available at the time of our review.
[10] According to officials, medical officers might have performed
duties other than their primary occupational specialty during the
fiscal year.
[11] In September 2008, GAO reported that this pilot program states
anticipated outcomes in terms of numbers of officer accessions and
assigns responsibility to other organizations for assessing the
program‘s options. However, the plan developed for the Officer
Accession Pilot Program does not include a methodology to be used to
evaluate its effectiveness. See GAO, Military Personnel: Evaluation
Methods Linked to Anticipated Outcomes Needed to Inform Decisions on
Army Recruitment Incentives, [hyperlink,
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-08-1037R] (Washington, D.C.: Sept. 18,
2008).
[12] We analyzed retention data for the selected reserve since data
were only available for those personnel.
[13] Beginning strength is defined as the number of medical officers on
board on October 1 of a given fiscal year.
[14] We analyzed authorization and end strength data for the selected
reserve since data were only available for those personnel.
[15] Defense Manpower Data Center, Health Manpower Statistics (Seaside,
Calif.: fiscal year 2001 – fiscal year 2007).
[16] Our analysis of the Health Manpower Statistics reports include
tables A7 and R7A for physicians, tables A9 and R9 for dentists, and
tables A10 and R10A for nurses and other medical officers.
[17] Congress authorizes annually the number of personnel that each
service may have at the end of a given fiscal year. This number is known
as authorized end strength. Based upon the statutory authorizations,
DOD and the services establish annual year-end authorized personnel
levels for the various medical occupations, which are categorized into
various corps.
[18] End strength represents the actual numbers of medical personnel on
board at the end of a fiscal year.
[End of section]
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