	Background

The Army’s forces train at four combat training centers. Under Army Regulation 11-33, the Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) has overall responsibility for the Army’s lessons learned program. Ultimately, the schools are responsible for using the lessons learned analyses to modify training and doctrine and to validate and assess the adequacy of solutions to training problems. TRADOC Lacks Follow-Up Procedures for Tracking Use and Impact of Lessons Learned

Regulation 11-33 requires TRADOC to track the actions taken to resolve training deficiencies. More specifically, it said that the guidance would direct TRADOC to establish (1) a system to assign priorities to the problems identified at the combat training centers and (2) procedures for tracking lessons learned and assigning accountability for problem resolution. We interviewed Army officials responsible for the management of the lessons learned program at the Center for Army Lessons Learned, the Combined Arms Command, and TRADOC.
Why GAO Did This Study

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO examined the effectiveness of the Army's program for: (1) assessing the performance of units during their rotations at combat training centers; (2) identifying the lessons learned from battlefield experience; and (3) disseminating information so that training and doctrine can be modified to avoid repeating the same mistakes during training exercises.

What GAO Found

GAO found that: (1) the Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) has overall responsibility for the Army's lessons learned program and has assigned responsibility for the program to its Combined Arms Command; (2) despite the lessons learned program, Army units repeat many of the same mistakes during maneuver exercises at combat training centers; (3) the TRADOC program lacks procedures for assigning priorities to the lessons learned; (4) TRADOC lacks follow-up procedures for tracking use and impact of lessons learned; and (5) the schools are not held accountable for ensuring that identified problems are resolved.