Summary: The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal 1997 directed GAO to report on the policy and cost implications of assigning up to 5 percent of the graduating class of the military service academies to National Guard or military reserve units with a corresponding increase in the number of Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) graduates serving on active duty. Officials of the Department of Defense, military services, and academy officials, with the exception of those representing the National Guard, believe that sending academy graduates to guard or reserve units upon graduation would be counterproductive. They pointed to the need for new officers, regardless of the source of their education, to receive skill training and experience before they can be productive guard/reserve members. Since the academies are the most expensive source for new officers, concerns were expressed that sending academy graduates to the serves before they complete their active duty obligation would not produce a sufficient payback for the cost of their education. National Guard officials, however, noted that they have vacancies for officers in junior officer grades and believe that the assignment of academy graduates directly to the National Guard would be feasible. National Guard officials believe the policy and administrative difficulties in accessing academy graduates could be managed.
