Feasibility of a Cadre Approach to Mobilization

摘要

Over the past several months remarkable changes have occurred in world affairswhich have had a significant impact on the United States. These changes have, in turn, affected the future of the U.S. Army. No longer can it afford to focus primarily on its role as the defender of Central Europe and the containment of Soviet expansion. If it is to survive as a viable element in the nation's defense, it must make drastic changes. One of the primary factors in this process will be a more dedicated effort toward the Total Army Concept. As budgets plummet, personnel strengths decline, and new strategies, concepts, and doctrines emerge, how can the Army best meet these demands and still retain an effective fighting force. This paper concerns one possible alternative, a cadre approach to force structure for meeting future mobilization and mission needs. It focuses on the future of the Army, addresses problems of the existing reserve component system, examines other nations which employ the cadre system, and finally, considers the possible use of this system by the U.S. Army. (sdw)