The Challenges Associated with Using Marine Forces Reserve in Defense Support of Civil Authorities
Abstract
Despite improvements to civilian response capabilities, the Department of Defense must remain ready to support civil authorities when the conditions on the ground overwhelm the civil authorities' capabilities. Although the current USMC policy for providing forces to support civil authorities on the homeland calls for a total force solution, the USMC should employ its reserve component in DSCA capacity only as the last possible option. The employment of MARFORRES appears as an attractive course of action for DSCA due to its presence across the nation and the downsizing of the active component. However, employing MARFORRES for DSCA requirements presents a number of challenges. First, defaulting to MARFORRES for DSCA would cause MARFORRES to focus its training on meeting DSCA-type responsibilities and not on its ability to augment and reinforce the active component overseas. Second, employing MARFORRES is not the most efficient element to use as it is burdened by recall of forces, minimal access to equipment and maintenance capabilities, and the potential that key leaders may not be available due to civilian employment. Finally, MARFORRES is not arrayed in a manner that would allow it to form the USMC's preferred response configuration - the MAGTF.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 07, 2015
- Accession Number
- AD1175985
Entities
People
- Eric M. Olson
Organizations
- Marine Corps University