IMPROVING THE TOTAL FORCE USING THE NATIONAL GUARD AND RESERVES A Report for the transition to the new administration by The Reserve Forces Policy Board RFPB Report FY17-01 This report, Report FY17-01, is a product of the Reserve Forces Policy Board. The Reserve Forces Policy Board is, by law, a federal advisory committee within the Office of the Secretary of Defense. As mandated by Congress, it serves as an independent adviser to provide advice and recommendations directly to the Secretary of Defense on strategies, policies, and practices designed to improve and enhance the capabilities, efficiency, and effectiveness of the reserve components. The content and recommendations contained herein do not necessarily represent the official position of the Department of Defense. As required by the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972, Title 5, and the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 41, Section 102-3 (Federal Advisory Committee Management), this report and its contents were deliberated and approved in several open, public sessions. IMPROVING THE TOTAL FORCE USING THE NATIONAL GUARD AND RESERVES A Report for the transition to the new administration by The Reserve Forces Policy Board RFPB Report FY17-01 4 5 6 Chairman Punaro introduces the Secretary of Defense, the Honorable Ashton B. Carter, during the June 9, 2015 Board Meeting. “The presence, skill and readiness of Citizen Warriors across the country give us the agility and flexibility to handle unexpected demands, both at home and abroad. It is an essential component of our total force, and a linchpin of our readiness.” 1 - Secretary of Defense Ash Carter 1 As Delivered by Secretary of Defense Ash Carter, Pentagon Auditorium, Aug. 3, 2016 7 TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary ...................................................................................................................................................................................11 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................................................................15 Chapter 1 - Current Security Environment and Status of the Reserve Components ..........................................................................17 1.1: The Global Security and National Fiscal Environments .........................................................................................................................................................17 1.2: The Role of the U.S. Armed Forces .................................................................................................................................................................................................18 1.3: The Reserve Components.................................................................................................................................................................................................................18 1.4: Myths Surrounding the Reserve Components .........................................................................................................................................................................20 1.5: Opportunities for Immediate Improvement .............................................................................................................................................................................22 1.6: Role of the Reserve Components ..................................................................................................................................................................................................23 1.7: Recent Contributions of the National Guard and Reserve ...................................................................................................................................................25 1.8: The Operational Reserve in the Total Force ................................................................................................................................................................................25 1.9: Obstacles limiting Long-Term Success ........................................................................................................................................................................................27 1.10: The Lack of a Total Force Policy and Definition for an Operational Reserve ................................................................................................................27 1.11: Antiquated laws, policies, and information systems ............................................................................................................................................................28 1.12: Summary ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................29 Chapter 2 - Priorities for the Near Term ...................................................................................................................................................31 2.1: Emphasize a Total Force Policy .......................................................................................................................................................................................................31 2.2: Formalize the Operational Reserve ...............................................................................................................................................................................................33 2.3: Increase Active Component / Reserve Component Integration ........................................................................................................................................35 2.4: Establish Department of Defense Policy for Computing Personnel Costs .....................................................................................................................38 2.5: Enact Reserve Component Duty Status Reform ......................................................................................................................................................................42 2.6: Enact Reserve Component Survivor Benefit Parity .................................................................................................................................................................45 2.7: Allow Reservists to Accrue Post-9/11 Benefits while on Medical Hold ............................................................................................................................47 Chapter 3 - Optimizing the Total Force for the Long Term ....................................................................................................................49 3.1: Integrate the Reserve Component into the Force of the Future ........................................................................................................................................49 3.2: Maintain Reserve Component Readiness ...................................................................................................................................................................................53 3.3: Include the Reserve Component in Cyber Mission Force Requirements ........................................................................................................................55 3.4: Implement Individual Ready Reserve Management Reforms ............................................................................................................................................58 3.5: Transition Service Members at Home of Record Reserve Component Sites ..................................................................................................................63 3.6: Minimize Installation and Infrastructure Duplication ............................................................................................................................................................67 3.7: Retain Adequate Reserve Component General Officer/Flag Officer Structure and Grade .......................................................................................70 8 Chapter 4 - Additional Background and Information............................................................................................................................75 4.1: Reserve Component Use and the Operational Reserve Concept ......................................................................................................................................75 4.2: Reserve Component Cost Comparison and Efficiencies .......................................................................................................................................................76 4.3: Myths Concerning Reserve Component Accessibility ...........................................................................................................................................................80 4.4: Reserve Component Performance in Operation Iraqi Freedom .........................................................................................................................................83 4.5: Role of the Reserve Component in Homeland Defense ........................................................................................................................................................87 4.6: Impact of National Commission on the Future of the Army Recommendations .........................................................................................................92