GAO REPORT ON TECHNICAL TRAINING FOR RECRUITS AND MEMBERS OF THE RESERVE COMPONENTS

SEC. 517. GAO REPORT ON TECHNICAL TRAINING FOR RECRUITS AND MEMBERS OF THE RESERVE COMPONENTS (a) Report Regarding Provision of Technical Training.—The Comptroller General of the United States shall prepare a report on various options for providing technical training for military recruits and members of the reserve components. The report shall evaluate the practicality and desirability of— (1) providing persons who desire to enlist in the Armed Forces with technical training either before enlistment or immediately after enlistment; (2) using civilian institutions of higher education and vocational schools to provide such training; and (3) using civilian institutions of higher education and vocational schools to provide training in individual technical skills for members of the reserve components. (b) Matters To Be Included in Report.—The report required by subsection (a) shall include the following: (1) A comparison of (A) technical skills training provided by the Armed Forces, with (B) technical skills training available in civilian institutions of higher education and vocational schools. (2) A description of a program by which a person eligible for enlistment in the Armed Forces would receive technical training in, or under contract with, an institution of higher education or vocational school (and a stipend to pursue such training) (A) before enlistment in exchange for a commitment to serve in the Armed Forces, or (B) immediately after basic training. (3) A description of any personnel savings and other savings that could result from the implementation of such a program. (4) A description of a program by which institutions of higher education and vocational schools would enhance the readiness of the reserve components by supplementing active-duty individual skills training. (5) A description of the specific training improvements, if any, that could result from the implementation of such a program. (6) A description of a demonstration project to test such a program, on a limited basis as determined in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, together with a description of the cost of such demonstration project. (c) Submission of Report.—The Comptroller General shall submit the report required by subsection (a) to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and House of Representatives not later than February 1, 1991. (d) Definitions.—For purposes of this section: 103 STAT. 1443 (1) The term “technical training” means training in noncombat skills in technical fields, including electricity, machinery, welding, surveying, journalism, and photography. (2) The terms “institution of higher education” and “vocational school” have the meanings given those terms in section 435 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1085).