The 'Just-in-Time' Force for the Army.
Abstract
With the ongoing reductions in the Department of Defense (DOD) budget, the Active Army is being stretched thinner and thinner as it attempts to satisfy growing mission requirements. Increasing numbers of Army National Guard (ARNG) forces are being used to help support these increased missions. Recent history suggests that mission taskings to the Army will continue to proliferate as we move into the 21st century. If the DOD budget continues its current downward trends, the only answer to a viable Army, able to respond to the anticipated requirements that will likely be levied by future Administrations, lies in effective incorporation of the Army National Guard as a 'Just-in-Time' force. This paper contends that the ARNO fills critical needs today and will be able to fulfill needed roles on a 'just-in-time' basis as the Army transitions into the 21st century. Different training approaches will be discussed which will place mobilized ARNG units on the battlefield as synergistic force multipliers capable of mission accomplishment, not liabilities requiring extensive post-mobilization training time. An example of a new type of unit will be introduced and explained which leverages civilian skills of ARNG soldiers, allowing them to bring to the future battlefield needed skills and expertise either unavailable or in short supply in the Army.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 30, 1997
- Accession Number
- ADA327111
Entities
People
- Charles T. Robbs
Organizations
- United States Army War College