Making the Marine Corps Reserve Truly Operational: A Case Study in the Reorganization of the Marine Corps Reserve

Abstract

The Marine Corps Reserve has been an integral part of the Marine Corps force structure during Operations Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Iraqi Freedom (OIF). The ground and air units of Marine Forces Reserve provided critical operational manpower for the active duty Marine Corps during both campaigns over the past decade. Despite conducting operations while integrated with active duty units as part of the operational rotation plan in theater, the Marine reserve is still organized as a strategic reserve. This organizational template is no longer valid in the current operating environment and will only hinder the operational interoperability of the reserve during future contingencies. Marine reserve units should be task organized to support the active component as an operational reserve in order to ensure their ability to be a continued viable force for future contingencies and operations. The current Table of Organization for the Marine Forces Reserve should be reorganized to make a true operational reserve that is easily capable of integrating with its active duty component units.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 10, 2012
Accession Number
ADA601435

Entities

People

  • Jonathan L. Riggs

Organizations

  • Marine Corps University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Human Systems
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Active Duty
  • Afghanistan Conflict
  • Case Studies
  • Employment
  • Force Structure
  • Iraqi-War
  • Law
  • Manpower
  • Marine Corps
  • Military Budgets
  • Military Organizations
  • National Security
  • Organizational Structure
  • Personnel Management
  • United States
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Joint Military Operations and Doctrine.
  • Military Mobilization and Reserve Forces Studies.