Shaping the Regional Stability Environment with Reserves.
Abstract
Given that shaping is one of the three pillars of the National Military Strategy and indeed the type of mission in which the United States military most often engages these days, we in the military should feel compelled to consider venues that most strengthen our capability in this regard. The purpose of this paper, then, is to explore the utility and practicality of just such a over-exposing reservists in the shaping role. This idea eminates from the National Defense Panel's 1997 report "Transforming Defense," which proffered that part-time reservists, by virtue of their civilian employment, can bring much needed skills, not commonly found in the active duty military force, to CINCs' shaping missions. Shaping, in this work, is defined as military operations other than war (MOOTW), Internal Defense and Development (IDAD) and non-combat military operations listed in Theater Engagement Plan guidance but not assuming the characteristics of MOOTW or, in many cases, IDAD. When measuring the potential for part-time reservist involvement in the many types of operations listed under the headings above, we find that these reservist are most adept for primary roles in IDAD; most specifically for direct support in political, social and economic development. As a secondary role, part-time reservists can innovatively impart their civilian skills in support of many active duty shaping missions such as counterterrorism, counterdrugs, humanitarian assistance, exchanges and conferences. Although utility is bright, practicality is troublesome. No data base system exists which universally captures the information CINCs need in order to identify and access part-time reservists with unique and desirable shaping skills. High operations tempo in today's reserves makes voluntary commitments difficult. Part-time reservists may find it hard to tell full-time employers and unit commanders that they want to perform missions for which they were not recruited and trained.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 05, 1999
- Accession Number
- ADA363210
Entities
People
- Dean C. Anderson
Organizations
- Naval War College