Reserve Force 21: How Can the Marine Corps Reserve Force Maximize its Effectiveness in Accomplishing Future Marine Corps Missions?
Abstract
The Department of Defense (DoD) has recognized that the future of the reserve force will include operational duties in addition to its historic strategic duties. With the future operational role in mind, the DoD commissioned a study to determine what future roles the reserve force is best suited to undertake. Among other conclusions, the study stated that the reserve force is best suited to undertake recurring or predictable missions. These missions allow the lead time necessary to plan and mobilize reservists. Among the recurring and predictable missions identified is building partner capacity, or security cooperation. In addition to the steady-state nature of these missions, reservists can contribute enabling skillsets from the civilian government and private sector that make them eminently qualified to conduct such missions. The Marine Corps stated objective for the future is to have a worldwide, foreign deployed presence. The forces making up this presence will be capable throughout the range of military operations. This posture will require efficient use of all forces available, both active duty and reserve. Efficiency is even more critical in light of the fiscal austerity measures that the DoD currently faces. The reserve force can fill the role of the small forward presence, providing access for larger US forces while building host nation capacity. The reserve force, or at least a segment of it, should task organize and train for these advisory missions.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 28, 2015
- Accession Number
- AD1175848
Entities
People
- Gregory E. Dunay
Organizations
- Marine Corps University