NCJ Number
74575
Date Published
1980
Length
63 pages
Annotation
This report discusses the effectiveness of the Army's mobilization planning for depot maintenance, ways to improve current Army procedures for determining depot maintenance peacetime requirements, and actions the Army should take to make its combat vehicle depots more productive.
Abstract
The General Accounting Office (GAO) reviewed Army policies, procedures' and practices for providing combat vehicle maintenance in the United States and Europe during peacetime and Army planning for similar work during wartime. Various Army officials were interviewed. GAO found that productivity could be improved and maintenance costs could be reduced if the Army (1) operated its three U.S. depots as efficiently as the one in Mainz, West Germany; (2) overhauled vehicles only when needed, based on mileage and vehicle condition; and (3) eliminated work at the depot level that could be accomplished at a lower level. The Army also needs to establish realistic wartime requirements and match these with the facilities, equipment, repair parts, and staff needed. Footnotes, tabular data, photographs, correspondence, and Department of Defense comments are included. (Author abstract modified)