Assessing the Structure and Mix of Future Active and Reserve Forces: Assessment of Policies and Practices for Implementing the Total Force Policy

摘要

This report focuses on a case study of the Base Force decision process to review and assess the implementation of total force policy within DoD. The key issues addressed are: (1) Was the Secretary of Defense given sufficient information to make decisions regarding the active/reserve mix decisions; (2) Were options presented to the DoD leadership; (3) What factors were used to examine the options; (4) Were costs and benefits assessed for the options presented; (5) What was the interactive character of the debate. The Base Force decision process encompassed much more than the reduction of the force structure and the redefinition of the force mix. It was a fundamental rethinking of force policy and the process used to define DoD resources. These changes were reflected in the DoD FY92-93 budget submission and the FY92-97 program associated with that budget submission.