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Programs to

Washington you need at least three stars to

headquarters commanded by an active-duty

have any clout. Recently, the chairman of the

major general.

enhance readi-

JCS did create two new two-star advisory bil-

Even more radical innovations might be

ness of the

lets, one for the National Guard and one for

possible. For example, the main problem fac-

reserves in the

the reserves (currently one for the Army

ing the Air Force and Navy is pilots leaving in

Guard and the other for the Air Force Re-

droves to take advantage of the better work-

"One Army"

serve). This change is a slight improvement

ing conditions and better pay of commercial

White Paper

but really little more than a sop that does not

airlines. Considering the hundreds of thou-

would eliminate

truly reflect the increasing importance of the

sands of dollars spent on training pilots, that

reserves.

outflow is expensive. Because a tiered readi-

the problems

Third, a blue-ribbon panel needs to be cre-

ness system would place more emphasis on

experienced in

ated to look at a host of small and large ini-

the reserves, the real goal should be to keep

tiatives needed to implement programs to

those new commercial pilots in the reserves.

Desert Storm.

increase the readiness of the reserves. Blue-

Programs might even be established between

ribbon panels are often seen as vehicles for

the commercial airlines and the military to

postponing decisions, but they can also serve

split the cost of the military pilot's training as

important functions. The panel should con-

a commercial pilot as long as the pilot

sist of prestigious retired military comman-

remained in the reserves. Airlines would then

ders.

have an incentive to obtain from military

Finally, this whole problem deserves more

pilots, before they were hired, a commitment

attention from and study by both civilian

to remain in the reserves. In addition, mili-

and military think tanks and the various war

tary academy graduates might be given the

colleges, which spend virtually all their time

option--after two to three years of active-duty

on the problems of the active forces.

experience--of going into the reserves to

complete their five-year obligation.

Implications for the Active Forces

Although those initiatives are important,

A realistic evaluation of readiness based

there are four more that should be consid-

on the closer and broader looks at Task Force

ered to raise the whole profile of the Seamless

Smith and the Hollow Force--in conjunction

Total Force. First, increasing the level of rep-

with the increased use and upgraded readi-

resentation for the reserves in the Office of

ness of the reserves--would have major impli-

the Secretary of Defense from the assistant

cations for the active forces. One new force

secretary to the undersecretary rank should

structure that incorporates tiered readiness

be evaluated. This undersecretary of defense

might consist of the following units:44

would also hold the title of secretary of

reserves, which would make him equal to the

Army. The Army might be cut from its cur-

secretaries of the army, the navy, and the air

rent ten divisions to six: two light, two mech-

force. In absolute numbers, the reserves are

anized, and two heavy armor. (Six fully capa-

twice the size of any of the active services and

ble divisions would actually be an increase

deserve better representation, especially dur-

over the ten shadow divisions of 1950.) This

ing these times of relative peace. This change

structure is essentially what Senator McCain

would not be a new layer of bureaucracy but

calls for. The 82nd Airborne (light) Division

simply an increase in profile.

would be able to deploy within days, and two

Second should be the creation of a new

other divisions could deploy within weeks;

Reserve Joint Chiefs of Staff (RJCS) at the

three divisions would be available for contin-

three-star level. The chairman of the RJCS,

gencies. Those six divisions would in turn be

however, would assume a four-star billet and

backed up by the current ten-plus division

be given a seat on the existing four-star JCS.

equivalents in the reserves. In sum, the Total

Currently, heads of reserves are at the two-

Force would be about 16 divisions. And the

star (major general/rear admiral) level, but in

programs to enhance readiness of the

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