GAO: Navy, AF Should Improve Combat-Skills Training

The Navy and Air Force should take steps to augment the combat-training courses they have implemented in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the government’s top watchdog agency stated in a Jan. 28 report to the House Armed Services Committee. The Navy’s Expeditionary Combat Skills course and the Air Force’s Common Battlefield Airmen Training were set up with the intent of preparing sailors and airmen for the possibility that they may be thrust into combat situations, even though most (but certainly not all) traditionally served in rear areas that were regarded as relatively safe. Though the Navy hoped to funnel as many as 4,800 sailors through its ECS training per year, the Government Accountability Office said, a survey pegged that figure at closer to 1,300 last year. In establishing CBAT, the GAO stated, the Air Force never set clear goals for the program – other than to eventually train 16,000 airmen. The Air Force has since scrapped CBAT, and is working on an alternative combat-skills training program.