The War Between the Armies: Conflict Along the Road to a Total Force

Abstract

For the last century, the Army and the Army National Guard have been engaged in a costly political battle for missions and resources. Aided by a sympathetic Congress, the National Guard has continually countered unilateral Army proposals for force realignment and Guard end-strength reductions. The results have been a strategic mismatch in roles and missions and a growing antagonism between both parties. This paper will examine the roots of this dysfunctional relationship and then analyze the Total Force challenges associated with the post-Cold War era. Specific areas for review include: National Guard and Active Duty perspectives on national defense, political influence in determining roles and missions, implementing the Total Force Policy, and current Active/Reserve integration initiatives. The recommendations emphasize the need for integrated Active/Reserve operations and offer structural and command changes to improve working relationships.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 2001
Accession Number
ADA391271

Entities

People

  • David J. Macmillan

Organizations

  • United States Army War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • C4I
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Human Systems
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Active Duty
  • Air Force
  • Air National Guard
  • Command And Control
  • Congress
  • Governments
  • Law
  • Militia
  • National Guard
  • National Security
  • Periodicals
  • Personnel Management
  • Public Policy
  • Students
  • United States
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

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