A New Vision For The Guard, Reserves
Type: Op-Ed
June 20, 2011 — It is time for fundamental change in the post-9/11 National Guard and reserves.
It is also time to embrace the lessons of the past nine years and start thinking about a reserve component that is an indispensable part of the operational force.
Today’s reserves are unlike those of any prior era. The “new” Guard and reserves have several essential characteristics: pre-trained and pre-equipped; always in some state of readiness; and organized for a planned rotational availability so some units can periodically serve on active duty as a part of the nation’s operational force.
Some Guard and reserve troops will volunteer for assignment to a primarily strategic reserve, available only in case of national emergency. Other Guard units will focus on homeland defense missions.
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Related:Topic(s): U.S. Military Forces & Operations, U.S. National Security and Defense Policy
Project(s): Civilian Capacity, Military, Veterans and Society, U.S. Military Forces and Operations, Voices from the Field Event Series
