The Relevance of the Army Reserve in Support of the Homeland

• Main Author: Malin, Paige T
• Other Authors: ARMY WAR COLLEGE CARLISLE BARRACKS PA
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 2013
• Subjects: Military Forces and Organizations; *ARMY; *MILITARY RESERVES; DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE; DEPLOYMENT; HOMELAND SECURITY; HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE; LEGISLATION; MILITARY TRAINING; MOBILIZATION; NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT; DEFENSE SUPPORT TO CIVIL AUTHORITIES; EPLO(EMERGENCY RESPONSE PREPAREDNESS OFFICERS); NORTHCOM(US NORTHERN COMMAND); USAR(UNITED STATES ARMY RESERVE); DSCA(DEFENSE SUPPORT OF CIVIL AUTHORITIES); NORTHCOM
• Online Access: http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADA589418; http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADA589418

This essay identifies opportunities to enhance the United States Army Reserve's (USAR) relevancy in support of the homeland as it pertains to disaster response. It discusses the legal restrictions levied on the Reserve Components prior to the passing of the Fiscal Year 2012 National Defense Authorization Act and the impact the restrictions had on the USAR's ability to respond. The process on how the restrictions were changed is reviewed followed by an examination of the response authorities that the USAR must fall under as part of a tiered federal and military response. The essay identifies challenges in training, equipping and rapidly mobilizing USAR units to conduct an efficient, timely and relevant response. It acknowledges that allowing the Army Reserves to be deployed for disaster response is a strategic benefit to the Nation, the Army, and the Army Reserves but recommends USAR units and Soldiers be trained, equipped and funded to conduct disaster recovery operations instead of emergency response activities. Finally, the essay proposes recommendations that Army Reserve senior leaders can implement to increase the relevance of the Army Reserve in emergency and disaster response.