A Reserve Component Force for the 21st Century
Abstract
Based on the National Security Strategy (NSS) and the Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR), the military must adjust to meet anticipated and directed threats to U.S. national security. The active component of the U.S. Army is addressing these issues by building a more expeditionary, modular force, capable of projecting power with a rapid response. Army Chief of Staff General George Casey directed a review on transitioning the U.S. Army Reserves and National Guard into an operational forces, while the U.S. is engaged in two major conflicts and preparing for cuts to the military budget. Historically, discussions on dealing with the current and future threats with a limited budget and an adaptive global enemy do not appeal when the discussion pertains to force restructuring. Currently, one of the areas under review is the U.S. Army s approach to enterprise management and the alleviation of duplicated missions. Secretary Gates proposed the elimination of Joint Forces Command, a reduction of this one headquarters will save the U.S. roughly $230 million dollars a year. Another area of duplication is within the U.S. Army s Reserve Components, where both the Army National Guard and U.S. Army Reserves reside. The question is why does the Army maintain two Reserve Components and should the nation combine this force into one?
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 24, 2011
- Accession Number
- ADA553262
Entities
People
- Harrison B. Gilliam
Organizations
- United States Army War College