Individual Mobilization Augmentation Program: The Army Reserve
Abstract
The Individual Mobilization Augmentation (IMA) program provides the single most responsive and flexible source of reserve component manpower for the full spectrum of threats and responses this nation faces today and well into the next century. While the intent of this critical force multiplier was envisioned to prime-the-pump and provide those units and agencies with a responsive and trained manpower pool during the early days of a crisis, the IMA program never met it's intent. The IMA program failures were attributed to inconsistencies in the laws, policies and regulations that generated turbulence and superfluous complexity, which failed to enhance the program's flexibility and accessibility to the reserve component. Steps can be undertaken to reduce IMA program turbulence through stabilizing end strength and funding while removing institutional impediments whereby law and policy matches the intent of the IMA program. We must be willing to make changes in our traditional expectations of accessibility to IMAs with greater flexibility and surge capacity for the types of missions and deployment timelines envisioned by our senior leadership. This paper will address the essential vision-to-resourcing deficiencies and recommend changes that will be needed if the IMA program is to stay relevant and responsive to meet the challenges of our nation and the national military strategy.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 10, 2001
- Accession Number
- ADA390550
Entities
People
- Bastian W. Oskam
Organizations
- United States Army War College