Chapter 22
NATIONAL GUARD AND RESERVE
The National Guard and Reserve are full partners in carrying out the business of the Department of Defense. Over the past year, the Guard and Reserve components (RC) of all the Services have made increasingly larger and more significant contributions to the execution of the National Military Strategy, helping to enhance regional security and reinforce democratic values around the world.
The force structure projected in the Bottom-Up Review (BUR) is predicated on the requirement to achieve decisive victory in two nearly simultaneous major regional conflicts. To achieve this capability in the face of major budget reductions, the BUR rejected a traditional proportional reduction strategy and recommended higher force levels for the Guard and Reserve than had been programmed in the Base Force plan. As a result, the Reserve components are counted upon to provide compensating leverage to offset the risks of a smaller active duty force. Reserve component combat and support roles have been expanded in all post-Cold War operations, including explicit recognition of the Guard's state role as an integral component of U.S. security. This means that although the Reserve components were erroneously perceived during the Cold War as backup forces of last resort, attitudes are changing. Smarter use of the Guard and Reserve was identified as a move that could make a big improvement in the effectiveness of the Total Force.
DoD has worked to adapt the Reserve components to meet their new challenges, including deterring regional aggressors and engaging with emerging democracies. This has been done by force structure changes and innovative approaches to the use of Guard and Reserve capabilities. The foregoing initiatives will be further enhanced when the Training Readiness Oversight authority is fully implemented by the applicable commanders in chief (CINCs).
FORCE STRUCTURE CHANGES
The following are some examples of the force structure changes that have been implemented to increase reliance on the Guard and Reserve:
Army National Guard and Army Reserve
The BUR recommended the establishment of 15 Army National Guard enhanced readiness brigades. These brigades replaced former roundout brigades and are now the nation's principal reserve ground combat maneuver force. They consist of seven infantry brigades, five mechanized infantry brigades, two armor brigades, and an armored cavalry regiment. Their mission is to reinforce, augment, and/or backfill active component units during war or other military contingency. By FY 1999, the Army will complete a series of enhancements that will result in brigades that are organized, equipped, and trained to achieve premobilization proficiency sufficient to meet full readiness requirements within 90 days of mobilization.
Although these enhancements will not be complete until FY 1999, several important milestones for enhanced brigades occurred during FY 1996. As more of the Regional Training Brigades (RTBs) came on line, 12 of the 15 enhanced brigades underwent demanding training supported by the RTBs. Two brigades -- the 48th (Georgia) and the 39th (Arkansas) -- conducted successful rotations at the National Training Center (Fort Irwin, California) and the Joint Readiness Training Center (Fort Polk, Louisiana) respectively. Finally, all of the enhanced brigades will enter FY 1997 under one of four standard organizational structures -- tank, mechanized infantry, light infantry, or armored cavalry.
The United States Army Reserve (USAR) is relevant to Army needs across the operational continuum and is performing more missions than at any previous time in history. These include operation of Army installations and providing base operations support to active component (AC) customers. RC instructors will replace AC instructors to train AC soldiers under the Total Army School System, as well as cadets with the institution of a Reserve Officer Training Corps pilot program. Support has been given to United States Army Forces Command and Army Materiel Command (AMC) in the execution of Base Realignment and Closures as it affected the move of the 3rd Armored Calvary Regiment from Fort Bliss, Texas, to Fort Carson, Colorado, and ammunition relocations for AMC. USAR units and soldiers perform a robust overseas exercise and training program of CINC-directed and major command support missions daily. The Army Reserve is now a seamless component of the Army.
Naval Reserve
Following the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs Roles and Missions Study, the Naval Reserve has been restructured to support daily peacetime missions of the United States Navy, while still maintaining critical capabilities to mobilize and assist the Navy to fight and win wars. This restructuring has resulted in the Naval Reserve accepting new missions and hardware while supporting traditional mobilization and augmentation requirements.
The congressionally mandated Roles and Missions Study, titled The Future Naval Reserve, recommended 14 new responsibilities for the Naval Reserve. To date, 10 of the recommendations have been implemented. Further, recognizing the benefits and potential of this process, the Naval Reserve has implemented 14 additional initiatives to maximize support and further integration. The increased reserve participation from the implementation of the 10 recommendations has been significant.
Six classes of ships (CV, FFG, MHC, MCM, MCS, and LST) make up today's Naval Reserve force, including the first operational Naval Reserve carrier, the USS John F. Kennedy, and the first mine countermeasures ship (MCS) USS Inchon. The integration of the active/reserve surface and air mine countermeasures mission continues with the transfer of four Avenger class ships and four Osprey class coastal minehunting ships to the Naval Reserve Force, and the consolidation of two Reserve mine countermeasure helicopter squadrons with two active mine countermeasure helicopter squadrons. In addition, the Naval Reserve operates Perry-class frigates and Newport-class tank landing ships. Reserve Maritime Patrol Aviation Squadrons have completed the transition from P-3B to all P-3C aircraft. The Navy's entire logistics airlift mission is flown by the Naval Reserve with a fleet that includes new C-20G and C-130T transport aircraft.
There are destroyers and submarine tender augment units in the Naval Reserve, with approximately 2,000 selected reservists available. Adversary squadrons have increased capability by using shared personnel assets from the other squadrons within the Reserve tactical airwing. Reserve combat search and rescue and naval special operations squadrons are mobilization ready. A Reserve airborne early warning squadron has accepted the counterdrug mission and deployed to tap aircrew skills for surge requirements. These hardware and personnel changes are also complemented by an increase in airborne electronic warfare, intelligence, and command and control warfare group forces contributory support in 1996. These initiatives continue to make the Naval Reserve a critical force multiplier.
Marine Corps Reserve
In March 1996, the Marine Corps assigned the Commanding General, Marine Corps Combat Development Command, as the Total Force Structure Owner for both the active and Reserve components. This long anticipated initiative provides optimal Total Force Structure oversight by integrating active, Reserve, and civilian personnel under a single manager. This effort provides unity of effort, singular accountability, and economy of management for Marine Corps structure. This Total Force initiative will allow the Marine Corps to integrate and more efficiently employ the Reserve component in support of active component relief and CINC warfighting requirements.
The Readiness Support Program is an initiative established to consolidate multiple support and mobilization functions into a cohesive and synergistic program. The program establishes an organizational structure to efficiently accomplish muster and mobilization processing of the Individual Ready Reserve, civil-military activities, public affairs support, family readiness, and post-mobilization casualty assistance. Previously, many of these functions were performed by separate entities reporting to different components within the Marine Corps. Under this program, Peacetime/Wartime Support Teams will be assigned to each Marine Forces Reserve (MARFORRES) Home Training Center for the purpose of providing peacetime support, as well as back-fill and augmentation of remain-behind active-duty inspector instructor staffs upon mobilization. The program will result in a more streamlined mobilization process and a realistic remain-behind force capable of providing full service family and community support.
Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve
The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) performs its air sovereignty and air defense missions of the continental United States with Air National Guard (ANG) fighter units only. Having the ANG perform this mission allows all active duty fighter assets to be applied against forward presence and contingency requirements, reduces the number of days airmen are TDY, and contributes toward a lower, overall active duty personnel tempo (PERSTEMPO). The 137th Space Warning Squadron became the first ANG unit in the space support mission area by assuming the mobile Defense Support Program warning mission. In addition, the ANG has now assumed responsibility for all foreign military sales and F-16 programmed flight training. The ANG maintains the only USAF manned reconnaissance capability, using podded F-16 aircraft. The ANG has also recently completed one unit conversion and initiated the conversion of a second unit into the manned strategic bomber mission, flying the B-1B.
The Air Force Reserve (AFR) began three completely new missions this year: Airborne Warning and Control Systems (AWACS) associate squadron, battle-staff support augmentation unit, and assignment of undergraduate pilot training instructor pilots. With the initiation of the 513th Air Control Group, the Air Force Reserve established its first AWACS unit. The 513th is an associate unit that employs Reserve aircrews flying active duty AWACS aircraft. Associate units have traditionally been used in strategic airlift and air refueling, where they are highly cost effective, but this is the first application of the associate principle in a combat role. Similar to an associate unit is the 701st Combat Operations Squadron, which provides battle-staff support to the United States Pacific Command in the form of an experienced, cohesive group of operations, intelligence, plans, and logistics personnel. Finally, taking advantage of Reservists' great pool of experience, the Air Education and Training Command/Air Force Reserve Instructor Pilot Program will provide two units of 25 personnel each at two active duty pilot training bases. The ANG has implemented a program to provide 44 fighter pilot instructors on a volunteer basis to assist in this initiative.
In traditional associate roles, the AFR established a new KC-135 tanker unit in 1996, with follow-on planning for one more unit before the turn of the century. The second C-17 associate unit is progressing well at Charleston Air Force Base (AFB), South Carolina, with six more units to be established at Charleston AFB and McChord AFB, Washington. The ANG unit at Jackson, Mississippi, (172 Airlift Wing) will be the only Reserve component unit receiving the C-17. This conversion from the C-141 aircraft will not take place until after the turn of the century.
INNOVATIVE USES OF GUARD/RESERVE CAPABILITIES
As the force structure of the Services is adjusted to further capitalize on the capabilities of the Reserve components, policies on RC accessibility, use, and new methods of employment are being developed and implemented.
Multinational Force and Observers Sinai
In January 1995, more than 500 Army National Guard and Army Reserve soldiers from 24 states joined active component soldiers in a six-month deployment to the Sinai desert as a part of the multinational force and observers (MFO) mission. This infantry battalion task force had the mission to observe, report, and verify compliance with the Egyptian-Israeli Protocol of 1981. These soldiers manned squad-sized observation posts and conducted squad/platoon training in a rugged, austere environment. In December 1995, the Chief of Staff of the Army approved the development of options for Reserve component participation in future MFO rotations in an effort to reduce active component operating tempo (OPTEMPO).
Increased Use Initiatives
In February 1995, Secretary of Defense Perry initiated a pilot program envisioning utilizing Guard and Reserve components to relieve active component OPTEMPO and PERSTEMPO. Projects for inclusion in this program must relieve active OPTEMPO/PERSTEMPO and must provide meaningful training for participating Reserve component personnel. The Services and CINCs must provide approximately equal matching funds for the incremental costs of the reserve unit participation. Proposed projects are submitted by the CINCs, reviewed by the Services and Joint Chiefs of Staff, and approved by the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs (ASD(RA)).
The experiences in FY 1995 and 1996 have been highly successful. In FY 1995, which was an unfunded, partial start-up year, Reserve components completed 97 projects, primarily in the United States European and Southern Commands. There were 163 projects approved for completion in FY 1996. A good example of a successful increased use project was Battle Griffin, a NATO exercise conducted in March 1996 in Northern Norway with the support of approximately 3,600 Marine Corps Reservists, commanded by a Marine Corps Reserve general. CINC support for this initiative was presented in March 1996 testimony to the House Appropriations Committee (National Security Subcommittee). Admiral Joseph W. Preuher, Commander in Chief, United States Pacific Command, stated, "Use of the reserve components is a smart move that significantly reduces our active operations and personnel tempo." General George A. Joulwan, Commander in Chief, United States European Command, stated, "It (the increased use initiative) is an extremely important initiative for the European Theatre. As a test concept, it is unquestionably a success that needs to be expanded to make full use of the Total Force." For FY 1997, over 200 projects have been approved worldwide. The pilot program has achieved the initial goals and support for further integration of Reserve component personnel into joint operations and exercises continues to grow.
Civil Military Innovative Readiness Training Pilot Projects
Every day, citizen-soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines, and coast guardsmen provide a critical link between America's military and civilian communities. DoD's involvement in providing support and services for eligible activities and organizations outside DoD -- initially implemented under the 1993 National Defense Authorization Act and continued under the 1996 National Defense Authorization Act -- has been particularly beneficial in strengthening civil-military relationships and in improving readiness. These units and individuals (primarily medical and engineering) hone wartime skills while working in partnership with the state and community in a manner that does not compete with the private sector or other governmental agencies.
Military participants benefit by training in a more realistic hands-on setting, which enhances morale and contributes to readiness, recruiting, and retention. The community benefits by receiving needed health care, engineering, and infrastructure support. During FY 1996, more than 23 engineering and infrastructure pilot projects and seven medical/health care pilot projects were conducted in 28 states and American Samoa. Projects included constructing an airfield for Alaskan native villagers above the Arctic Circle; providing medical and dental health care in dozens of medically under-served communities; and placing obsolete military tanks in designated off shore areas to create commercial and recreational artificial reefs.
Civil-Military Youth Training Pilot Programs
DoD has traditionally supported youth training programs that provide military personnel the opportunity to enhance their leadership, communication, and management skills, while also contributing to America's youth, a critical recruiting resource. These efforts are provided in addition to regular training and focus upon at-risk youth. For example, the National Guard's ChalleNGe program is a 22-week residential program for 16-18 year old high school dropouts who are unemployed, drug-free, and not involved with the criminal justice system. The program operates in 15 states utilizing a quasi-military approach that includes community involvement projects, GED/high school diploma attainment, and leadership training. This program is authorized through August 1997.
The DoD STARBASE Program is a nonresidential program that focuses on disadvantaged youth in elementary and secondary schools. The program mentors youth, while improving math and science knowledge through experiential learning, including simulations and experiments in aerospace related fields. The Army and Air National Guard, Navy, and Air Force Reserve operate these programs in 15 states and Puerto Rico. These pilot programs are funded by DoD through FY 1998, after which they must be funded by private, state, or other non-DoD federal funds.
These youth programs directly support the President's commitment to drug-free America by positively impacting youth with military role models.
Reserve Component Intelligence Support
In January 1995, the Deputy Secretary of Defense directed the implementation of a broad plan to engage Reserve intelligence elements fully in support of peacetime intelligence requirements. Since then, 28 Reserve intelligence facilities have been electronically connected to the DoD Intelligence network through the Joint Worldwide Intelligence Communications System. Service-owned intelligence facilities are now functioning more and more as joint and shared facilities. DoD Intelligence Information System compliant intelligence production workstations are being installed in all 28 sites.
These improvements allow reserve intelligence specialists to utilize their normal training periods -- inactive duty training, annual training, and active duty training -- to provide direct intelligence support to meet CINC operational requirements. Congressional support now permits CINCs and combat support agencies to transfer funds directly to the Reserve components in support of additional man-days to meet unexpected intelligence requirements. Since over 40 percent of DoD's intelligence force is in the RC, these actions provide units and individuals readiness training not otherwise available but, at the same time, provide critical and often unique support to current operational requirements.
Partnering for Fiscal Integrity
Partnering for Fiscal Integrity (PFI) is a joint Under Secretary of Defense Comptroller/ASD(RA) initiative designed to maximize peacetime contributory support of the Reserve components in DoD's pursuit of fiscal excellence. PFI makes available to DoD's financial management community the often untapped civilian marketplace expertise and skills of Guardsmen and Reservists, at the cost of normal military man-days. This program provides a highly effective, task-oriented work force for specific projects, within finite periods of time. PFI matches citizen-soldier skills (civilian and military) to help resolve significant DoD financial management needs. Some of the projects involving PFI include risk assessments, auditing, policy and procedure reviews, and computer/software development.
CONTINGENCY OPERATIONS
An operation may become a contingency either by Secretary of Defense designation, or by employing involuntary authorities (Presidential Selected Reserve Call-up or mobilization) to gain access to Reserve component forces. The National Guard and Reserve have supported the nation's involvement in three contingency operations since Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm.
Operation Uphold Democracy
Over 2,100 Reservists were ordered to active duty under Presidential Selected Reserve Call-up (PSRC) authority for Operation Uphold Democracy in Haiti. Over 85 percent of them were from the Army National Guard and Army Reserve. Initially, the majority of Reservists were specialists in port operations, civil affairs, psychological operations, or special forces. As the operation matured, the requirement for special forces declined, but the need for additional Reservists logisticians and aviation/helicopter personnel increased. Navy, Marine, and Coast Guard Reservists were also recalled for Haiti. ANG and AFR volunteers with C-130 tactical airlifters as well as Reserve AC-130 gunships were on standby at the inception of the operation. Reserve component volunteers provided airlift, medical air evacuation, and air refueling support throughout the operation. More than 4,000 reservists participated either under involuntary callup or in a voluntary capacity.
Operation Joint Endeavor/Decisive Edge
This contingency operation began in early December 1995, with the first Reserve component volunteers mobilized under PSRC authority in less than 10 days. Roughly 90 percent of 8,000 called up were from the Army Reserve and Army National Guard, principally from logistics, military police, medical, and civil affairs units. Soldiers with proficiency in Serbo-Croatian were placed with active units to provide quick response foreign language capability. Navy and Marine Reservists served on active duty staffs, and the Air Force used PSRC authority to call-up air traffic controllers. In addition to those called up, Air Reserve component members voluntarily provided medical, fighter, and air refueling support for Operation Joint Endeavor/Decisive-Edge, and its predecessor, Operation Deny Flight. The Air Force has used 800 to 1,000 volunteers per month in support of these operations since 1994.
REMOVING INHIBITORS TO GUARD/RESERVE USE
In order to more fully utilize the Guard and Reserve in these innovative ways, the Department of Defense is rewriting its policies to remove inhibitors to the use of the Guard and Reserve. Just as the Total Force Policy has become a reality, the concept of compensating leverage is being translated into everyday actions through these new approaches.
Accessibility
After the early successes of the Administration in pursuing legislation to enhance the Presidential Selected Reserve Call-up authority, the Department continues to expand the traditional definition of accessibility for Reserve component members. Far from being limited to ensuring that Reserve component personnel are trained and available for call-up only in times of emergency, DoD's approach is to explore opportunities for these components to perform throughout the spectrum of military operations, including peacetime operations traditionally performed by active duty personnel. Efforts include identifying and removing impediments to those opportunities. Cognizant that increased use of the Guard and the Reserve requires a careful balance that takes advantage of Reserve component capabilities while recognizing that the individual member must also consider his or her civilian responsibilities, DoD is focusing on operations that provide real and relevant training opportunities while ameliorating the intense active component operational and personnel tempo.
The Department has launched a plan to integrate existing efforts, establish a requirements determination process with funding mechanisms, and develop more flexible policies for the use of Reserve components on a larger scale than previously accomplished. In refining its planning for a more formal structure for using all Ready Reservist categories -- traditional drilling Reservists, Individual Mobilization Augmentees, and members of the Individual Ready Reserve -- DoD will continue its review of possible impediments to and enhancements for future employment of the Reserve components.
Reserve Component Quality of Life Initiatives
As Reserve component members are employed more frequently, especially in support of worldwide missions, actions are being taken to enhance the Department's support to those members. Initiatives to enhance Reserve component quality of life include assistance to both the service member and the member's family.
Mobilization Insurance
The FY 1996 National Defense Authorization Act provided members of the National Guard and Reserve with the opportunity to participate in a voluntary program of insurance to guard against their risk of being called to active duty, which can result in a loss of income, increased expenses, or business losses. The insurance program, implemented on October 1, 1996, offered current members of the Ready Reserve an opportunity to enroll for coverage of up to $5,000 per month. Insured members are eligible to collect benefits if they are recalled to active duty involuntarily for a period of more than 30 days in support of an operational mission, war, or national emergency. The Department has experienced some start-up problems (for example, low enrollment, call-up of additional Reservists for Bosnia). To address how to deal with these start-up problems, the Department has initiated a top-to-bottom review of the program, with a view to taking corrective actions as soon as this review is complete.
Employer Support
The National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (NCESGR) is an organization that works in partnership with employers and Reservists to ensure the accessibility of Reserve members when needed. NCESGR serves as a facilitator to resolve employment issues between employers and Reservists and the military chain of command. Through a network of 4,600 volunteers located throughout the United States and the territories, NCESGR offers employer education programs such as Bosslifts and Breakfast with the Boss to inform employers, legislators, and centers of influence of the new roles of the Guard and Reserve.
NCESGR's mission, however, is not limited to advocacy of Reservists. Through its Employer Action Council, NCESGR also sponsors an Employer Awards Program to recognize employers who are twice the citizen. In 1996, Secretary of Defense Perry presented the first National Employer Support Freedom Award. During Operation Joint Endeavor, the Secretary sent a letter of appreciation to mobilized Reservists and their employers.appreciation to mobilized Reservists and their employers.
The strategic objective of NCESGR is strength through partnership. Through a win-win approach to the concerns of both employers and Reservists, NCESGR works to ensure Reservists are available to protect freedom when the need arises.
Other Reserve Component Quality of Life Initiatives
DoD has authorized a test program that waives the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS) deductible payments for National Guard members called up for Operation Joint Endeavor, thus providing a more affordable health care option for families of Guard and Reserve personnel activated in support of this contingency operation. The test is designed to provide Reserve component families with affordable health care premium payment options similar to those already available for active duty families. The Department will evaluate the results of this program based on data collected during the test period. If the test is deemed successful, DoD will request a permanent change in the law that makes this option available to all Reserve component members activated in support of a contingency operation.
The ability of Reserve component members to obtain the new machine readable military identification cards for themselves and their eligible family members was greatly increased during 1996 as more than 200 Real-time Automated Personnel Information System (RAPIDS) accounts were installed at Reserve component unit locations across the country. With RAPIDS, Reserve units can access the Defense Eligibility Enrollment Reporting System (DEERS) to update information and eligibility for military benefits for Guard/Reservists and family members, and can issue machine readable identification cards with computer-generated photos. The use of RAPIDS at locations where Reserve components were mobilized for Operation Joint Endeavor greatly reduced the time needed to issue new identification cards to Guard/Reservists and their family members.
Based on findings from the Secretary of Defense's 1995 Quality of Life Task Force, DoD provided all service members and their families with worldwide access to family centers. This included establishing 80 Family Network (FAMNET) accounts for National Guard and Reserve family centers.
DoD has instituted a Joint Family Support Director's Course, being conducted worldwide, that familiarizes and trains active and Reserve component family readiness directors with the various readiness and support programs offered by the Services. This effort will help facilitate familiarity with and coordination of Total Force family support.
With about 30 percent, or 285,000, of Selected Reserve members enrolled in institutions of continuing education, DoD has been developing initiatives to ensure these student-Reservists are able to resume their courses of study after being released from active duty. Unlike the employment protections for Reserve component members provided in public law, this effort has focused on voluntary support from the educational community. The primary focus has been on ensuring that student-Reservists, called to active duty, receive a refund of tuition and fees for portions of the course that cannot be completed, partial course credit for completed course work, or a grade of incomplete, and the right to return to the educational institution without prejudice. This voluntary effort worked adequately for those Reserve personnel called up for Operation Joint Endeavor.
READINESS ENHANCEMENTS
The Guard and Reserve must be able to sustain appropriate readiness in order to carry out their expanded roles during a time of shrinking defense dollars. The following initiatives have supported that effort.
Equipping Strategy
The increased requirements for the Reserve components to protect U.S. interests abroad and during domestic emergencies led the Department to an intense look at RC equipment readiness. The Department has developed an RC equipping strategy to ensure that RC units are equipped with modern, compatible equipment to enable them to do their job side by side with the active components and coalition partners.
During FY 1996, the Services provided $1.4 billion in new equipment and upgrades. Congress directly provided $0.8 billion for new equipment, such as C-130 aircraft, C-9 replacement aircraft, heavy tactical trucks, and aircraft system enhancements and modifications. The predominant method for providing modern combat equipment is redistribution of major weapons systems from the active to the Reserve components. The value of equipment redistributed to the Reserve forces in FY 1996 was about $6.4 billion.
Army Reserve Component Readiness Enhancements
The readiness enhancements of Title XI of the 1993 National Defense Authorization
Act (the Army National Guard Combat Readiness Reform Act of 1992) are in
the fourth year of implementation. The FY 1996 National Defense Authorization
Act amended Title XI to apply most provisions to the Army Reserve and early
deploying combat support and combat service support RC units. Some of the
more noteworthy accomplishments during 1996 include:
Facilities Enhancements
Implementation of the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process continues. Realignments, consolidations, and use of Reserve enclaves at BRAC installations have allowed the Reserve components to reduce their backlog of construction by $2 billion. Use of facilities made available by BRAC will enable the Reserves to move out of many leased facilities into government-owned property, substantially reducing costs while improving readiness. In 1996, the Army Reserve established a Reserve Forces Training Area enclave at Fort Devens, Massachusetts, and the Air Force Reserve assumed control of March Air Reserve Base, California. The Army has initiated installation transfers to the USAR, including Fort Dix, New Jersey; Fort Hamilton, New York; and C.E. Kelley Support Facility, Pennsylvania. These will be completed in FY 1997.
The Reserve components completed and occupied 155 new facilities in 1996. They are now moving forward with execution of the 123 projects in their FY 1996 Military Construction Program. This program provides operations and maintenance facilities for air units converting to new aircraft; other components are building maintenance facilities to accommodate modernized ground equipment. These new facilities and additional improvements to training facilities and installation infrastructure will also improve readiness. In FY 1997, the Reserve components will complete the design and award construction projects totaling $414 million, primarily for maintenance, operations, and training facilities.
BEYOND THE YEAR 2000
The Department is preparing to undertake further analysis of the force structure required to meet the National Military Strategy -- the Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR). The QDR will include a comprehensive examination of defense strategy, force structure, force modernization plans, infrastructure, budget plan, and other elements of the defense program and policies, with a view toward determining and expressing the defense strategy of the United States and establishing a revised defense program through the year 2005. The QDR will address anticipated RC roles and missions in the defense strategy and the strengths, capabilities, and equipment necessary to assure that the RC can capably discharge those roles and missions.
Army Guard Division Redesign
In advance of the QDR deliberations, the Army addressed key force structure imbalances during its Total Army Analysis process during 1996. In May, the Secretary of the Army approved the Army National Guard Division Redesign Study. The study group, composed of representatives from the Army Secretariat, the Army Staff, the National Guard Bureau, and the States' Adjutants General, was tasked to study issues generated by the recommendations of the Commission on Roles and Missions. These include possible reallocation of 60,000 ARNG combat personnel to fill known Combat Support (CS) and Combat Support Service (CSS) shortfalls, possible elimination of 50,000 combat spaces from the Total Army, and reduction and/or reorganization of ARNG divisions.
The ARNG Division Redesign Study examined alternatives to convert existing low priority combat units to support forces. DoD plans to inactivate up to 12 ARNG combat brigades and use the generated force structure to form two divisions and an additional six brigades consisting of CS/CSS units. These 42,700 conversions will reduce the Army's CS/CSS shortfall to a more acceptable level of 15,700.
Based on the approved study, the ARNG will consist of eight divisions: three divisions remaining as currently organized, three divisions consisting of an enhanced brigade and two other combat brigades, and two composite divisions formed by converting existing divisional structure to CS/CSS units. In addition, six brigades containing CS/CSS organizations will be formed. Six enhanced brigades will remain as currently organized and six will become part of an AC/RC integrated division test.
The Secretary of the Army directed the United States Army Training and Doctrine Command to conduct a detailed assessment of the Integrated Division proposal to determine the viability of the concept, addressing doctrine, organization, training, mobilization, and warfighting impacts.
The ARNG Division Redesign Study accomplished two major goals. The Army's CS/CSS shortages will be reduced to the lowest level in decades and the active Army and Reserve components will take another major step towards integration. The plan has the combined support of the Army's senior uniformed and civilian leaders, the National Guard Bureau, and the states' Adjutants General.
A VERY BUSY PEACE
The readiness of RC units can be seen in their assumption of increased operational missions in full partnership with active forces in implementing the National Military Strategy.
Naval Reserve Contributory Support
As the Navy has downsized, reliance on the Naval Reserve has increased, becoming an inextricable part of naval presence. Reservists perform in virtually every area of naval operations. Reserve frigates and mine countermeasures ships are making overseas deployments. The Naval Reserve has assumed 100 percent of the Helicopter Range Support for the Southern California Offshore Range and the Gulf of Mexico. Elements of Reserve helicopter combat rescue squadrons have augmented battle group capabilities on numerous deployments. The Naval Reserve conducts 100 percent of the air adversary mission for the Navy. Additionally, there has been increased Reserve participation on board tender ships, integrated undersea surveillance, and counterdrug operations. A dedicated E-2 squadron provides airspace control and surveillance for counterdrug operations. Naval Reserve P-3 crews have been instrumental in operations in support of Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico counterdrug narcotics operations, in UNITAS -- a joint exercise with South American navies -- and in numerous operations and exercises in the Western Pacific and North Atlantic. Additionally, the Naval Surface Reserve has deployed ships for numerous operations and exercises, including counterdrug, UNITAS, and the first reserve ship visit to a former Soviet Bloc country. The Naval Reserve provides 100 percent of fleet capabilities with C-9 and C-130 organic airlift, mobile inshore undersea warfare units, logistics support, and aviation adversary squadrons. Over 80 percent of Total Force capabilities for military sealift, naval control of shipping, cargo handling, and combat search and rescue are resident in the Naval Reserve.
Marine Corps Reserve Peacetime Support
Marine Corps Reserve participation in FY 1996 has been significant. Exercise Battle Griffin is a joint combined military exercise designed to demonstrate allied reinforcement of NATO's northern flank. Battle Griffin 96 was unique because this traditionally active component exercise was conducted almost exclusively by reservists. Approximately 4,100 American servicemen and women participated in Battle Griffin. Eighty-five percent of the marines and sailors were from Marine Forces Reserve and Navy Reserve units. The efforts and innovation of the Reserve units participating made a significant contribution to the theatre commander's ability to accomplish the mission while reducing the active component's operations, personnel, and deployment tempo by approximately 56,000 man-days. Other exercises in which Marine Forces Reserve units participated alongside their active component counterparts during FY 1996 included Ulchi/Focus Lens in Korea, Freedom Banner in Okinawa, Cobra Gold in Thailand, and Brilliant Invader in England.
Marine Forces Reserve units provided logistics, intelligence, and surveillance support to civilian law enforcement agencies in over 100 counternarcotics missions. These missions include deployments by both air and ground assets throughout the Caribbean and numerous border areas in the southern United States. To date, these missions, involving over 1,700 Reserve Marines, have resulted in the eradication of millions of dollars worth of narcotics. Without this critical participation by Reserve units and individuals, many of these missions would fall to the to the active component.
Air Reserve Components
The Air Reserve Components are participating in nearly every major Air Force mission area and weapon system, the only notable exceptions being F-15E, F-117, and B-2 aircraft and strategic missile operations. Reserve forces will be used to meet operational commitments and limit active component PERSTEMPO, particularly in AWACS and strategic mobility. The traditional areas of fighter deployments, special operations, combat search and rescue, and medical air evacuation will continue to require extensive RC participation. The versatile capabilities of airpower are equally useful in limited and large scale hostilities, making it unlikely the demand for RC augmentation will decrease. The Air Reserve components have sole propriety of several missions, notably continental air defense/air sovereignty and aerial spray for disease control. Reserve component participation in the space mission area is growing with establishment of the 137th Space Warning Squadron in the Air National Guard, the 702nd Space Operations Squadron in the AFR, and the potential addition of Defense Meteorological Satellite Operations to AFR satellite control activities. Reserve component participation will increase in the growing area of information dominance and warfare.
Normal peacetime requirements, such as aerial firefighting, are increasing for both the ANG and AFR. In support of the National Science Foundation, the Air National Guard has assumed Antarctic resupply responsibilities from the Navy. The Air Force Reserve operates the only severe storm and hurricane reconnaissance unit in the world. ANG and AFR units participate with active duty assets to provide full-time search and rescue capability at Keflavik, Iceland, to National Aeronautics and Space Administration space shuttle launch activities, and to deployed active forces throughout the world.
CONCLUSION
As the nation defines its military role in the 21st century, it is clear that defense dollars will continue to be constrained. Nevertheless, modernization of the Total Force will be given a high priority. The experiences over the past five years have demonstrated that peacetime operational requirements continue to place high demands on shrinking active forces. Through the innovative approaches being implemented in the Department, National Guard and Reserve capabilities will continue to play a critical role in the future in satisfying the requirements of the National Military Strategy.
