The Operational Force Social Contract
Abstract
The Army National Guard has provided operational forces and strategic depth throughout the majority of its existence; however, the relationship between the Army National Guard and society has evolved. Policymakers, uniformed leaders, and historians started referring to the operational reserve when discussing the contemporary reserves shortly after the beginning of the Global War on Terrorism. Of growing concern over the last fifteen years is a challenge to the social contract between the military and society concerning reserve soldiers. The Army National Guard is both an operational force and a strategic reserve that is essential to national defense. The operational evolution creates friction between the need for available and trained forces and the social contract between society and a part-time Army. We must redefine service in the reserve component and how it looks for an operational force providing strategic depth. To redefine the social contract, we must adopt changes in how we care for service members and their families, what we provide to employers, and how we communicate the message.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 2020
- Accession Number
- AD1108158
Entities
People
- Carlin Williams
Organizations
- Air War College