Ready Reserve - Back up or Force in being,

The question of how the Ready Reserve components of the United States are to be used has been discussed, debated, and answered by political leaders, military commanders, and the Presidents since the earliest days of this Nation. Should they be used to maintain trained Reserve Forces capable of fulfilling rapid mobilization requirements, or to provide Units complete with trained personnel and suitable equipment, capable and ready for immediate use as augmentation to the General Active forces for either selective expansion or for limited or general war, or should they be used to provide trained individuals to fill specific needs of the Active Force. Concepts of their use have varied as the different occasions presented themselves duirng the history of the United States. Today the question is still open and will continue to be asked as long as this Nation requires a Security Force to protect its people. This essay presents some background on how The Ready Reserve Forces have and are being used in support of our Military Strategy. Author