Multicomponent Units: A Worthwhile Endeavor?

Abstract

Attempts at integrating the Reserve Components (RC) and Active Component (AC) date back to the 1970s during Secretary of Defense Melvin Laird's tenure, and continues today with programs supported by the current administration. One program that appears to be gathering momentum is the Multicomponent Unit (MCU) program. Multicomponent units are comprised of soldiers and equipment from more than one component on a single source document. Great strides have been made since the inception of this program to overcome obstacles ranging from the day-to-day management of the units, how the units are resourced, compatibility of the automation systems to handle MCUs, and the congressionally mandated management of certain aspects of individual component resources. This paper will chronicle the evolution of MCUs at the macro level and discuss some of the major hurdles overcome in taking the program to where it is today. The study will point out some of the successful practices and guidelines that have made the MCU program a more flexible and responsive program offering some unique potential to the future of the Armed Forces.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 07, 2003
Accession Number
ADA414165

Entities

People

  • Bruce A. Resnak

Organizations

  • United States Army War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • C4I
  • Human Systems

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  • Active Duty
  • Business Administration
  • Command And Control
  • Department Of Defense
  • Education
  • Employment
  • Information Systems
  • Land Warfare
  • Law
  • Lessons Learned
  • Management Personnel
  • Military Science
  • Organizational Structure
  • Personnel Management
  • United States
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Defense Acquisition Program Management
  • Military Mobilization and Reserve Forces Studies.
  • Systems Analysis and Design