WASHINGTON — The Army, stung by a contracting fraud scandal that has generated more than 80 criminal investigations, needs 1,400 more personnel to deal with the demands of supplying troops in combat, said U.S. officials familiar with a report by federal procurement experts.
The report, to be released today, also calls for creating general officer positions within the Army’s contracting workforce – a move to attract talented men and women to a field most would otherwise avoid because of dim prospects for career advancement.
Collectively, higher numbers, better quality and more clout within the ranks are expected to reduce opportunities for fraud, waste and abuse as tens of billions of dollars continue to be spent on the wars, U.S. officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity because the report has not been released.
The Associated Press
