Step Four: Reserve Force

Posted Thursday, December 3, 2009, at 9:51 AM

The first level of reservists should be a person-to-person backup for each and every member of the active force--from new recruit to commanding general. After one year of full-time training, these service persons would maintain their proficiency by participating in a one-day session each week and four weeks of active duty each year as part of fully-equipped units that would mirror the regular Marines, Army, Navy and Air Force. In an emergency, they would be available for callup as individuals to fill specific slots or in units if necessary. They would have to be well-trained, adequately compensated and fully cognizant of their role as an available force subject to activation. Annual cost would not exceed $50 billion; overall U.S. defense budget would therefore be $325 billion.

The second level would be the states' National Guard and Air Guard units, maintained more-or-less at their present levels of 460,500 soldiers and airmen. Members would have all necessary basic and advanced training and would continue to participate in monthly weekend drills and two-week summer camps. They would also be used as they are now to assist with civil emergencies such as natural disasters. The states would continue to pay all costs unless the units are activated--Jim Frost.

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Speaking as someone who has served in the Armed Forces and had a chance to work with both Active Duty and Reserve personnel, you miss one of the main purposes of training. We are not just trying to achieve individual proficiency. We are also trying to teach the individuals to work as a team. Often National Guard and Reserve individuals have worked with each other for years and achieve a level of teamwork that is to be admired. Throwing this away would dull the sharp end of the spear.

-- Posted by jonpeters on Fri, Dec 4, 2009, at 3:04 PM

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Berkley Bedell--Retirement from the U.S. Congress in 1987, neither dulled my interest in the well-being of the people of the United States nor my worries about our governance. I began work in 2006 on a book outlining the country's problems and offering solutions. Jim Frost--I share Berkley's concerns and in 2007 began the job of researching, editing and assisting with writing his book. By early 2009, after finally weathering George W. Bush and recognizing how much the past eight wasted years have set the world back, our focus changed. We had seen no meaningful progress in the efforts to stem the threat of nuclear weapons, reverse global warming, preserve natural resources, reduce military spending, fight disease and hunger, improve health care, deal with the increasing gulf between rich people and poor people, establish a workable economic system, or clean up the political process. For us, these three things became self-evident: First, the problems are global; the U.S. cannot by itself control or solve them. Second, the perfect storm of worldwide catastrophe is already upon us; what must be said cannot wait. Third, in seeking solutions, the problems must be put before as many people as possible as quickly as possible. This blog is the result. There will be much more. We invite you to participate.

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