Summary: A review was undertaken of the military recruit medical screening and processing system from two perspectives, the physical examinations given to recruits at the Armed Forces Examining and Entrance Stations (AFEES) and the medical procedures performed when recruits report to their basic training centers.
In its review, GAO found that Navy and Marine Corps basic training centers are duplicating hearing tests and physical examinations that are performed at AFEES. GAO believes that substantial savings in personnel and recruit training costs could result if it were possible for the AFEES to perform the special program physical examinations in its entirety. GAO also found that, in addition to duplicating the AFEES hearing test at one training center, the Navy plans to puchase new equipment to expand this practice to all five training centers. Further, a San Diego Marine Corps Recruiting Depot provides extensive physical examinations for all its recruits. GAO believes that only those recruits who are found during initial medical screening to have special physical problems should be extensively examined. By doing so, the Marine Corps Depot could complete all recruit medical screening within 3 to 4 hours instead of the 7 hours that it now takes. The elimination of the duplicative processing procedures at the depot would allow recruits to return more quickly to training, and medical staff could be freed for other duties.
