We are grateful for this opportunity to present a summary of the Reserve Forces Policy Board's (RFPB) major activities, observations, and recommendations of the past year. The Board's own annual report will present a comprehensive view of key issues and programs and will include a summary of the Board's positions and recommendations on specific issues affecting the Reserve components.
The Board, acting through the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs, is the principal policy adviser to the Secretary of Defense on matters relating to the Reserve components (10 U.S.C., Section 10301). Senior level representatives from each of the Service Secretariats, Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Active components, and Reserve components serve as members of the Board. The Board is an independent source of advice and reports on Reserve issues, including strengths, readiness, accessibility, funding, and other critical Reserve component issues and programs. The value and credibility of this 24-member Board rests in its civilian and military (both active and reserve) composition and the diversity of experience among its members.
During 1995, the Board conducted a reevaluation of its function. The Board has been in existence since 1952 and last self-reviewed in 1972. As a result of the March 1995 off-site quarterly meeting, the Board has taken a more issue-oriented, problem-solving approach. The output of the Board over the months following the March 1995 off-site and the current thrust of the Board indicate that this change was timely and appropriate.
Subsequent to the off-site meeting, we developed vision and mission statements that illuminate the Board's focus, direction, and purpose.
In last year's Report of the Chairman, we discussed the Reserve component vision -- an integrated total force in which the Reserve components are active participants in facing the full spectrum of new challenges to national security and are capable, accessible, affordable, and relevant. The Reserve components have demonstrated their value to the nation's national security through their accessibility and readiness, as evidenced by a high degree of volunteerism and recent Presidential Selected Reserve Call-ups. The Reserve components are moving beyond the issue of accessibility and availability to becoming an integral part of the planning and decision making process regarding total integration. The Commanders in Chief and Military Service Chiefs seem to be recognizing the value of the Reserve components in satisfying their warfighting and military operations other than war (MOOTW) requirements. As General Dennis Reimer, Army Chief of Staff, recently stated, "It is terribly important that we go to war not as three components [U. S. Army, Army National Guard, and Army Reserve], but as a seamless Army." The Board shares that necessary goal.
At the request of the Secretary of Defense, the Board assessed the Commission on Roles and Missions of the Armed Forces (CORM) report and its impact on the Reserve components. The Board's response to the Secretary of Defense tasking resulted in a special, offÐcycle meeting of the full Board in July 1995. The results of the Board's study of the CORM report identified three themes that are essential elements for continued growth and evolution of the Reserve component's contribution to the National Military Strategy -- integration, jointness, and increased Reserve and Guard participation in peace operations and MOOTW. More Reserve component peacetime participation presents four challenges:
The results of the Board's assessment were briefed to the Secretary of Defense in late July 1995. The Secretary commended the Board members for their work and was receptive to their observations and recommendations. This process demonstrated that the Board could react quickly. The professional interaction with the Services and the Office of the Secretary of Defense was excellent.
The Board deliberated on several concerns on potential money-saving initiatives reflected in the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Report, "Reducing the Deficit: Spending and Revenue Options," February 1995. The report identified five initiatives which have direct impact on the Reserve components: reduce enlisted Basic Allowance for Subsistence, restructure Reserve longevity pay increases, eliminate dual compensation (also known as military leave) for Reservists employed by the federal government, eliminate Reserve retirements, and eliminate federal support ($1 billion) of commissaries. The Board considered the adverse impact these initiatives would have, if implemented, on recruiting, retention, readiness, mission accomplishment, and morale. The Board advised the Secretary of Defense of its concerns and sought his support in disapproving the CBO proposals.
The 104th Congress proposed legislation that would reduce funding and eliminate programs under Civil-Military Cooperation Action. The Board reviewed the impact not funding these programs will have on readiness, training, and contact with America's communities. Civil-Military programs enhance readiness and help maintain the connection between the military and civilian communities which has been affected by the drawdown and decline in the percentage of society serving in the military. The Secretary of Defense encouraged the RFPB Chairman to deal directly with Congress on this issue. The Chairman met with several members of both the Senate and House to present the Board's views and concerns. His dialogue with congressional leaders was positive and encouraging.
Field studies have been conducted by Board members and staff. Trips were made to Haiti, Panama, and Reserve component units in Alabama and Colorado to discuss call-up issues and problems directly with activated personnel. The Board studied the Presidential Selected Reserve Call-up for Operation Uphold Democracy from mobilization to demobilization. Observations from the field studies revealed several concerns that require attention, such as timely notification, education benefit problems, and incomplete post-activation physicals. Field studies provide the Board one of its primary means to identify issues/problems that can be further studied and resolved. Another RFPB field study is being conducted with U.S. Atlantic Command to close the loop on issues surrounding deployment of Guard and Reserve units to Haiti.
The idea of the citizen soldier is older than the nation itself; however, the history of relationships between regular and militia members has been turbulent. Twenty-five years ago, the concept of a fully integrated total force was introduced by then Secretary of Defense Melvin R. Laird. With the start of the Total Force policy three years later, the Reserve components began to be brought into the mainstream of defense plans and operations. Guard and Reserve forces have been and will remain critical to the wartime and peacetime requirements of the Active components. The RFPB salutes the efforts of the President, Secretary of Defense, military departments, and many others to finally make Total Force a reality.
More detailed information regarding Reserve component programs and issues can be found in the Reserve Forces Policy Board's annual report, Reserve Component Programs, Fiscal Year 1995, which is scheduled for publication in March 1996.
Forwarded to the
Secretary of Defense
/s/ /s/
Terrence M. O'Connell Deborah R. Lee
Chairman Assistant Secretary of Defense
for Reserve Affairs
