Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!wuarchive!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!att!cbnews!military From: cga66@ihlpy.att.com (Patrick V Kauffold) Newsgroups: sci.military Subject: Re: Reserve Call-Up Message-ID: <1990Aug24.034354.1385@cbnews.att.com> Date: 24 Aug 90 03:43:54 GMT References: <1990Aug22.025527.16670@cbnews.att.com> Sender: military@cbnews.att.com (William B. Thacker) Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories Lines: 39 Approved: military@att.att.com From: cga66@ihlpy.att.com (Patrick V Kauffold) > From: Will Martin > Just what are the mechanics and procedures for a call-up of Reserves in > the US? (stuff deleted) The President issues an executive order, subject to a bunch of Congressional limitations (War Powers act plus others). Then DOD starts issuing orders. Every Reservist has a pre-designated mobilization billet (job); in fact, he/she carries the instructions on a card. This billet may be with the organic reserve unit itself, or it may be to some other location/unit. Exotic rates/MOSs tend to be assigned this way, say, to communications stations, C2 Teams. Some units (ANG) have activated individuals on a voluntary basis (before executive order). Now the DOD can simply pick and choose, taking what units it wants, at whatever strength it wants, and whatever individuals it may need to fill critically short jobs. For example, the Navy may be critically short of some seagoing engineering ratings, so they may strip Reserve units to plug holes in wartime manning requirements (peacetime active units are at about 2/3 to 3/4 wartime compliment). Some Reserve units have assignments to active organizations; Navy Reserve Air Squadrons for example. The Reserves are far more integrated into the active force components than they were 15 years ago. I think it is safe to say that the DOD is going to do most of this on an ad-hoc basis as they figure out what they need, and where. It is axiomatic that the first casualty of any war is the plans. Yes, there is a lot of politics involved. Most of it is inter-service, with the various services making sure that they aren't left out. "Careerism" has an unfortunate influence in this regard, putting narrow interests ahead of what should be the primary concern - the mission and the welfare of the troops.