The Total Force: Are We There Yet? The Naval Reserve in Operation Allied Force
Abstract
Operation Allied Force was a vivid example of how the Active and Reserve Components of the Navy, as well as the other Services, train, operate, and fight as a single entity. In numerous commands throughout the Fleet, Reservists are an integral part of the command in peacetime and an indispensable part of the command in wartime. When Commanders needed augmentation for operations in Kosovo, however, the current process of obtaining IA and Reservists was so slow that most people did not arrive until the fighting was almost over. The delays in obtaining Reservists was due primarily to the unwillingness of OSD to request a PSRC until all Services had decided upon their needs and the time required for the President to ensure he had adequate public support for the mission. Despite the slowness of this process, Reservists did help significantly by volunteering to come immediately using ADT and AT. Even with the great number of volunteers, however, there were operational costs involved with not having all the right people with the right skills available in a timely fashion. To rectify this, the Navy should increase the FTS Reserve presence on all major staffs. Additionally, when a Warning order is issued, CINCs should immediately assess their need for Reservists and include a request for the number of Reservists needed to complete crisis action planning and to execute each potential COA. CJCS should then immediately seek a PSRC; when they issue the Alert and Execute orders, they should include authority to recall the appropriate number of Reservists.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 16, 2000
- Accession Number
- ADA381752
Entities
People
- Donald L. Roy
Organizations
- Naval War College