Present Mobilization System for REserve Components (RC) is Inadequate

Abstract

The mobilization system that exists today is predominantly a reflection of the perceived needs for an expansion of forces that would support a war in Europe or some other major national emergency for which the current active force would not be sufficient. Such a mobilization envisions a massive buildup of forces such as occurred before the United States entered World War II. The mobilization for World War II ended with 89 combat divisions on active duty as compared to 18 divisions today. Some would argue that such a capability is still needed today and I would not disagree. However, I believe that the current mobilization system should be one which also allows for use of the reserve components in cases short of war or major national emergency, without its present constraints. Even though the mobilization system has been changed by recent legislation to give the president more authority in use of the reserve components, in situations short of war and major national emergencies, it still lacks 'feasible' procedures for use of the reserve components in today's most likely scenarios. (sdw)

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 02, 1990
Accession Number
ADA223246

Entities

People

  • Benjamin E. Meredith

Organizations

  • United States Army War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Human Systems
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Active Duty
  • American Revolution
  • Civil Affairs
  • Classification
  • Force Structure
  • Governments
  • Low Intensity Conflict
  • Militia
  • National Guard
  • Second World War
  • Security
  • Training
  • United States
  • Ussr
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Military History / Militaries and War Studies
  • Military Mobilization and Reserve Forces Studies.