Army Ranger Training: Improvements Mandated By 1996 National Defense Authorization Act.
Abstract
This report provides our final assessment of corrective actions taken by the Army following the deaths of four Army Ranger students in a 1995 training accident. The Fiscal Year 1996 National Defense Authorization Act requires us to provide a final assessment of the matters covered in our preliminary report and our recommendation on the need to continue the required manning levels Specifically, we are reporting on the status of (1) Ranger training manning levels required by the act, (2) establishing safety cell organizations required by the act, (3) corrective safety actions instituted after the accident, and (4) inspections of identified safety controls. The Ranger Training Brigade, located at Fort Benning, Georgia, conducts three phases of Ranger training to develop tactical combat arms and leadership skills in infantry, airborne, air assault, mountaineering, and waterborne operations. The initial training phase is conducted at Fort Benning, the second phase is conducted in the Georgia mountains, and the third phase is conducted in river and swamp terrain in Florida. In February 1995, four Ranger students died of hypothermia while undergoing waterborne training in the Florida swamps. The Army's investigation of the accident recommended corrective actions to improve Ranger training safety and preserve the lessons learned from the accident. Corrective actions to improve the safety of Ranger training were also prescribed by the Fiscal Year 1996 National Defense Authorization Act. The act required the Army to ensure that the number of officers and the number of enlisted personnel assigned to the Ranger Training Brigade are not less than 90 percent of required levels. The Army defense requirements as the minimum number of personnel needed to perform a unit's mission effectively. This mandate was to become effective no later than February 1997 and expire 2 years after it is achieved.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 1999
- Accession Number
- ADA360435
Entities
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office