Improving Medical and Dental Readiness in the Reserve Components.

摘要

As an integral part of the U.S. military, the reserve components (RCs) are continually called upon to support operations around the globe. Since September 2001, more than 800,000 reservists have been involuntarily and voluntarily called to active duty in a federal status. The RCs for each service are responsible for ensuring that reservists are not only properly equipped and trained, but also medically ready to serve. Medical readiness means that service members are free from health-related conditions that could limit their ability to carry out their duties, whether in garrison or deployed. Medically ready reservists require less medical and dental support in theater and fewer medical evacuations from theater, both of which save money and free assets for other purposes. Concerned about potential medical readiness shortfalls and inconsistencies in the individual medical readiness (IMR) requirements, the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs asked RAND to provide options for U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) policy that would help the RCs achieve higher levels of IMR for this new operating environment. The study sought to quantify the current status of RC medical and dental readiness, identify obstacles to achieving compliance, and identify alternative approaches to improve medical and dental readiness. The study also examined the costs associated with meeting current medical and dental readiness requirements and considered alternative approaches.