Reserve Forces: Army Needs to Finalize an Implementation Plan and Funding Strategy for Sustaining an Operational Reserve Force

Since September 11, 2001, the Army has heavily used its reserve components -- the Army National Guard and Army Reserve -- for ongoing operations even though they were envisioned and resourced to be strategic reserves. A congressional commission, the Department of Defense (DoD), and the Army have concluded that the Army will need to continue to use its reserve components as an operational force. The transition will require changes to force structure as well as manning and equipping strategies that could cost billions of dollars. The 2009 Defense Authorization Act directed GAO to study this transition. This report provides additional information on the following: (1) progress and challenges the Army faces, (2) to what extent the Army has estimated costs for the transition and included them in its projected spending plans, and (3) the effect of the operational role on the Guard's availability to state governors for domestic missions. GAO examined planning, policy, and budget documents, and relevant sections of Titles 10 and 32 of the U.S. Code; and met with DoD, Army, reserve component, and state officials. GAO recommends that the Army finalize an implementation plan and cost estimates for the transition to an operational force, and include transition costs in its funding plans. In comments on a draft of this report, DoD agreed with GAO's recommendations. Report to Congressional Committees.