High Cost of Serving in the Army Reserve

摘要

Since 9/11 the Army Reserve has been challenged to transform from a strategic force to an operational force that is constantly deploying some portion of its units and individuals. Reservists are no longer known as the weekend warriors who serve actively two weeks in the summer. Over time, the frequency of Reserve deployments and the time between deployments, or dwell time, has become a point of deep concern both in and outside the military. It will be difficult for Citizen Soldiers to maintain their operational effectiveness throughout their entire Army Reserve career. Citizen Soldiers have competing priorities; their jobs, families, and civilian goals are also important. Civilian careers and local roots distinguish Citizen-Soldiers from their active-duty counter parts. The Army Reserve is a valuable contributor to the nation's security. As a part-time force, it is important that its use in war and peacetime be coordinated to avoid overuse in order to preserve its excellence. This paper will explain why an operational reserve force is needed and the impacts of an operational reserve on the Citizen Soldier. It concludes with recommendations for policies that will provide a foundation for management of the Army Reserve as an operational force.