Reserve Component Officers and the US Army War College

The basic problem upon which this research project focuses is that: existing procedures for selection of Reserve component officers to attend the US Army War College and their subsequent utilization and promotion are so different from those of the Active Army that (1) a significant variance in educational standards among Active Army and the Reserve components exists, and (2) less than optimal use is being made of the opportunities afforded by the US Army War College. Thorough analysis of the information gathered resulted in recommendations that: the Reserve components adopt a centralized selection procedure which assures that the most outstanding Reserve component officers attend both the resident and nonresident courses of the US Army War College; key high-level Reserve component positions, such as command, statutory tour, and mobilization designation positions at major commands and higher be designated for fill by graduates of the US Army War College; US Army War College completion be established as a prerequisite for consideration for promotion to general officer in the Reserve components; and implementation of these recommendations be time-phased. Several areas were also recommended for further study by the Department of the Army Staff and are specifically identified in Chapter VII of the study. (Author)