Impetus Behind the Creation of the United States Naval Reserve

摘要

The U.S. Naval Reserve provides the United States Navy with a ready pool of trained personnel as an augmentation force to active duty manning. In the 230-year history of the Navy, the Naval Reserve has only been organized for the last 90 years. This paper examines the history of the Navy, identifying key elements within the United States that lead to the authorization of the Naval Reserve in 1916. It examines the political, economic, and strategic environment in the United States between 1775 and 1916, and looks at the strategic mission of the Navy and how it changed during that time to require a ready reserve. The experiences of naval leaders over time formed the basis of the theory behind the inclusion of a viable reserve force. The gradual recognition of the changing and expanding role of the Navy after the Industrial Revolution, the culmination of America's Manifest Destiny, and the development of a strategic naval policy, along with overseas territorial expansion, all provided the social and political impetus that led to the authorization of the U.S. Naval Reserve. The U.S. Naval Reserve continues to provide valuable support to the Navy. Both are continuing to transform to maintain the relevance between the forces.