National Guard Combat Divisions: State Militia or Federal Muscle Force StructureMix

摘要

This monograph examines the current force structure of the Bottom-Up Review andits ability to meet the requirements as outlined in the National Military Strategy. The goals and objectives of the national U.S. strategy are examined in the context of the two MRC scenario as described in the National Military Strategy. Cold War logic has had a significant impact on the framers of the National Military Strategy and the Bottom-Up Review force reflects this influence. The two MRC scenario 'sizing function' has left the U.S. military with a smaller, more lethal, but probably irrelevant force in the post-Cold War environment. The monograph traces the historic roots of the modern-day National Guard and discusses the inherent tensions built into the U.S. Constitution between the federal and state forces. From the Federalist Papers to the current 'Off-Site' agreement, the evolution of the Guard and the legal framework that it works within are discussed. A detail analysis of the current force structure highlights the shortages in Contingency Force Pool support personnel to support the two MRC scenario. Several case studies examine the Guard's ability to meet both its state and federal missions. This is followed by an in-depth look at the current force structure, specifically the relevance of the eight National Guard combat divisions to the total force as organized. The monograph culminates with an evaluation of the National Military Strategy and the potential changes that the current Quadrennial Review could make toward future force structure. Finally, the monograph concludes with two basic recommendations: Either change the National Military Strategy's goals and objectives, or change the force structure to meet the current goals and objectives. The goals and objectives of the National Military Strategy set the conditions for determining the force structure.