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A Review of the State Operations of the Adjutant General
December 2000

REPORT (PDF)     SUMMARY (PDF)

Members of the General Assembly requested that we review the state operations of the Adjutant General (AG), with a focus on program management and compliance. Our review found several areas where program management and controls could be improved and other areas where we did not identify significant problems.

  • The agency needs to improve its method for determining maintenance priorities and its documentation of completed and deferred maintenance projects. Also, the AG is not effectively using information about maintenance needs obtained during annual armory inspections. The state is primarily responsible for maintaining the 84 armories. Since state funding has been insufficient to meet all needs, the agency should maximize the use of federal funds available for maintenance projects.
  • We did not identify problems with the Adjutant General’s criteria for closing or constructing armories. Since 1990 the AG has closed nine armories and constructed seven. Decisions are based on demographics, condition of existing facilities, federal military directives, funding, and community factors.
  • The Adjutant General’s use of capital improvement bonds has been authorized in compliance with state laws and regulations. However, the AG has not always had appropriate controls to ensure that construction projects are adequately monitored.
  • Although there is no consensus on the placement of emergency management functions, we found that all states’ emergency management agencies, except in South Carolina, are in a direct chain of command to the Governor. However, we found no substantial evidence that the structure of the emergency management division in South Carolina has caused serious problems.
  • The Adjutant General’s office does not have adequate controls over funds disbursed through the National Guard tuition assistance program. Some participants who did not meet program requirements received tuition assistance funds, and others were overpaid for courses completed. Only $4,192 (3%) of $152,287 in debts owed to the program has been collected.
  • The AG has not implemented adequate controls to ensure accurate leave reporting by state employees who are also members of the National Guard. A review of records indicated that some employees have received unauthorized dual compensation; that is, they have been paid by both the state and federal governments for the same days of service in excess of allowed military leave.
  • The state pension benefits for members of the National Guard has not been adequately funded. Deficiencies in funding may violate the South Carolina Constitution.
  • We found that the AG generally has controls to ensure that employees are qualified for their positions. However, the agency should obtain appropriate equivalency approvals, require documentation for educational attainments, and revise its interview and selection policy.
  • Participation in the Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) program offers substantive benefits to the National Guard at a minimal cost to the state.