Utilization of Navy Selected Reserve Personnel in Defense Contract Management Command Reserve Units

Faced with a continually shrinking defense budget it has become increasingly important to fully employ all resources available. The reserves represent one resource that can be exploited further in this quest for efficiency. This thesis focuses on the utilization of the Naval Selected Reserves affiliated with the Defense Contract Management Command. The objective was to examine how these units are currently employed, and how they might be used more effectively in the future. Ancillary issues such as a structured reserve acquisition career path and the impact of the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act DAWIA were also raised. The most important conclusion derived from this research is that the reserve acquisition forces represent a vast array of skills and experience, and that these forces can be most effectively utilized when their civilian-based skills are drawn upon and employed. Additionally, it became readily apparent that the non-productive drains upon the reservists time must be eliminated or streamlined. Finally, the issue of applying DAWIA to the reserve forces is currently undecided, but consensus recommends against any formal application. Navy Reserve, DAWIA, DCMC, Contract management, Acquisition.