Sustaining the National Guard as an Operational Force
Abstract
The recent directive to transform the National Guard into an operational force has strategic implications. The events of September 11, 2001 thrust the National Guard into the global engagement with our enemies, and these forces have proven themselves in this role. The anticipated long term nature of this conflict has resulted in force level requirements that will continue to rely on the National Guard. This paper examines the way forward to sustain the National Guard as an operational force and also reveals this as an efficient way to balance end strength requirements with an increasingly constrained national defense budget by leveraging the cost savings realized for National Guard versus active component forces. Recommendations are provided to facilitate the sustainment of National Guard forces in this role through the twenty-first century. These include a commitment to employ the Guard in accordance with the AFORGEN model, providing adequate resourcing of full time manning, and ensuring that units have all required individual equipment for pre-mobilization training. A cultural change is required for National Guard resourcing to reflect that of an operational force, in which the mutually dependent nature of the AC-RC integration is manifested.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 2010
- Accession Number
- ADA518160
Entities
People
- Walter L. Mercer
Organizations
- United States Army War College