Past and Future: Insights for Reserve Component Use

The Quadrennial Defense Review, released in September 2001, expresses concern about the current readiness of its operational units. Post-Cold War downsizing and widespread budget cuts have occurred side by side with intensive deployment and operational-tempo demands-conditions that have translated into a growing reliance on the Reserve Components (RC). The reserves now play a far more substantial role in military contingencies, including peacekeeping and humanitarian missions, and the military's reliance on the reserves is only expected to grow. The QDR's new vision thus raises many questions about the most appropriate balance of capabilities between active and reserve forces and about the possible need for changes in how the Reserve Components are used. All told, the QDR notes that, as the military's transformation takes shape, DoD will continue to rely on reserve forces to help in new restructuring and reorganization opportunities. In particular, the QDR (2001, p. 23) mandated a "comprehensive review of Active and Reserve mix, organization, priority missions, and associated resources."