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FPCD-77-16 1 (1977-01-31)

handle is hein.gao/gaobaabzf0001 and id is 1 raw text is: DOCUMENT RESUME 00553 - [A07511261 Millions Eeing Spent to Apprehend Military Deserters, Most of Whom Are Discharged as Unqualified for Retention. FPCD-77-16; B-146890. January 31, 1977. 23 pp. Report to Secretary, Department of Defense; hy H. L. Krieger, Director, Federal Personnel and Compensation Div. Issue Area: Personnel Management and Compensation (300). Contact: Federal Personnel and Comapensation Div. Budget Function: National Defense: Department of Defense - Military (except procurement & contracts) (051). Congressional Relevance: House Colmittee on Armed Services; Senate Committee on Armed Services. Authority: 10 U.S.C. 885-87; Unif,.rm Code of Military Justice, art. 85-87. The policy of apprehending military deserters during peacetime in an all volunteer force needs reexamining. Military representatives say treating deserters as criminals has a deterring effect. Findings/Conclusions: Most deserters 3o not become useful soldiers, being unable or unwilling to meet the standards demanded, and most are eventually discharged as unfit. There is no verifiable evidence that soldiers uhc do not desert are discouraged from doing so because of fear of becoming a military criminal. Such fear may prevent some potential deserters, but many others may consider the possible discharge to be a reward rather than a punishment. The services have the authority to separate deserters in absentia. The number of deserters, meaning individuals whc were absent without leave, more than 30 days, declined in FY76. It cost $58 million to apprehend ani process deserters during the last 2 y-ars, not including costs incurred for related cnurts-martial, confinement, separation, and pay of the desertexs. Costs are being incurred to apprehend individu, who surrender voluntarily. Recommendations: The des.eurters apprehension pclicy should be reexamined and less costly alternatives to the present practices should be found. Perhaps the apprehension of deserters should be stopped, except where the deserter is wanted in connection with another crime, and the deserter should be discharged in absentia; or perhaps apprehension efforts should not be undertaken until the deserter has been gcne long enough to indicate that a voluntary return in not likely. (Author/SS)

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