GAO-01-80 Military Personnel: Actions Needed to Achieve Greater Results From Air Force Family Need Assessments

The proportion of military personnel with spouses and children has risen dramatically since the military eliminated the draft and established an all-volunteer force. For example, 60 percent of Gulf War veterans versus 16 percent of Vietnam veterans were married with children during their service in these conflicts. The demands and stress of military life include frequent times away from family, recurrent moves that can disrupt family and social support networks, and the threat of family members' death or injury due to military service. To meet the needs of military families so that they can adapt and function effectively in these circumstances, the Department of Defense (DOD) funds a wide variety of personnel and family support programs. These programs use a combination of direct assistance and information and referral to help with crises, deployments, moves, child care, personal financial management, parenting, and transition out of the service. In fiscal year 2000, $739 million was appropriated for such family support programs. So that funds are efficiently distributed to those with the greatest need, DOD requires each service to assess the needs of military personnel and their families and their use of family support programs. In response to your request for information on the needs of military families, and as agreed with your office, this report focuses on the Air Force's family needs assessment process. Specifically, we determined (1) how the Air Force determines the needs of its military families, (2) what type of information about military family needs the Air Force obtains, and (3) how information from needs assessments affects the allocation of funding for Air Force family support programs.

To help military families adapt and function effectively in military life, the Department of Defense (DOD) funds a wide variety of personnel and family support programs. These programs use a combination of direct assistance and information and referral to help with crises, deployments, moves, child care, personal financial management, parenting, and transition out of the service. To efficiently distribute funds to those with the greatest need, DOD requires each service to assess the needs of military personnel and their families and their use of family support programs. This report examines (1) how the Air Force determines the needs of its military families, (2) what type of information about military family needs the Air Force obtains, and (3) how information from needs assessments affects the allocation of funding for Air Force family support programs. GAO found that the Air Force assesses the needs of its personnel every two years using a random sample survey. However, the Air Force process does not meet other DOD criteria generally recognized as important for needs assessments, including the use of benchmarks to determine if needs have changed or emerged. Additionally, the Air Force assessments cover needs related to deployments and mobility, family advocacy, family life education, child care, parenting education, family members' employment, transitions and relocations, financial management, and dependents with special needs. Finally, GAO found that the Air Force has inconsistently used assessment data to budget for family programs.

Provides the transcripts of a ceremonial meeting at held at Federal Hall, New York, New York, on September 6, 2002, including statements by members of Congress on the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. This meeting was held, by special resolution of Congress, in remembrance of the victims and the heroes of September 11, 2001, and in recognition of the courage and the spirit of the City of New York.