The AC/RC Force Mix -- Has the Pendulum Swung Too Far?

The current force structure reduction decisions hinge on the Army correctly assessing their requirements for the future force mix. This study seeks to determine how the USAWC Class of 1990 views the current Active ComponentReserve Component ACRC force mix through the use of an informal questionnaire. The questionnaire was designed to elicit the War College students feelings about the ACRC missions, capabilities and structure. The study found that a majority of the respondents believed that we should build a stronger, more capable, albeit smaller AC force to respond rapidly to worldwide contingencies and rely on the RC to provide back-up units for a prolonged longer than 90 days conflict. The students responses showed that they strongly believed that the Army needs a new force structure philosophy to create a smaller, more balanced, more capable total force among the three components Active, Guard and Reserve and various type units combat, combat support, and combat service support. In these times of shrinking budgets and vanishing threats it is imperative that the Army articulate its requirements clearly and forcefully for a rational and reasonable force mix. It is only by completely reviewing and then clearly stating our requirements that we will be able to ensure that our nation has the deterrent capabilities it needs to preserve peace.