How Does the National Guard Become Relevant, Ready and Reactive?
Abstract
The National Guard is an integral part of National Power and is heavily relied upon to execute missions in support of the National Security Strategy. This is a result of the increased peace keeping and enforcement missions and reduction of the active force structure. The concerted effort executed by the National Guard and the Active Army in the early 90s has made it combat ready and deployable. Translating the level of training proficiency and abilities of the Guard to the Active Army and being able to deploy into a theater of operation within a timely manner so as to be an affective player in a combatant commander's plan are the issues. The process by which the Guard is activated and deployed in response to a national emergency is hindering its responsiveness to the needs of the Nation. The validation requirement within the mobilization process is redundant and unnecessary. The National Guard can deploy into theater and conduct combat and combat support missions within the normal prescribed timelines given to Active Army units. WARTRACE relationships between RC and AC units have to be established and maintained. The Time-Phased Force Deployment Data (TPFDD) has to include these Guard units. The dividing line that has separated the AC and RC is disappearing with the increased Operational Tempo (OPTEMPO) brought upon by the Volatility Uncertainty Complexity and Ambiguity (VUCA) environment. In addition compatible information systems and centralized accounting of readiness levels are giving the AC and RC the link towards inter-operability.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 03, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA423735
Entities
People
- Angelito L. Gutierrez
Organizations
- United States Army War College