Case Studies in Reserve Component Volunteerism: The 670th Military Police Companyin Operation Uphold Democracy

摘要

This is one of a series of case studies prepared to illustrate how volunteerismhas been used to gain access to National Guard and Reserve capabilities in support of recent military operations. The case studies have been prepared by reference to official documents and reports and interviews with unit members and other persons involved in the operation. This case study tells about the voluntary service of the 670th Military Police (MP) Company, California National Guard, during Operation Restore Hope, the U.S. intervention in Haiti. The Army National Guard selected the 670th and two other MP companies as the most ready to serve under the auspices of the Humanitarian Support Unit Program of Project Standard Bearer. This case study serves as an example of how Project Standard Bearer can work, but it also indicates where problems may arise in the future. Based on the situations encountered by members of the 670th, the Army may need to revise some its rules to make it easier for RC volunteers to participate in accomplishing Army missions. Troops such as those in the 670th MP company may not be willing to volunteer again unless treated more fairly by the Army. This case study is a background paper for a report on the role of volunteerism in Reserve accession policy being prepared for the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs.