AC/RC MIX: Changes Needed in the AMEDD

The Army is made up of members of the Active and Reserve Component forces, a concept envisioned many years ago by the United States to ensure protection of its national and vital interest. This concept enhanced the U.S.s ability to provide a credible answer to the Warsaw Pact. Now, in the midst of economic, political and strategic scrutiny brought on by the fall of the Soviet Empire, the leadership of the Army needs to re-look the nature and purpose of the Reserve and Active component forces. Furthermore, in the post-Cold War period, personnel downsizing and constrained budgets have focused the Department of Defenses attention on the appropriate size and mix of the Army. This paper will address the Army Medical Departments need to re-look its ACRC mix. It will focus on the current PERSTEMPO, ACRC composition, medical mission, and deployments, and recommend ways to balance the ACRC mix and suggest potential missions for the reserves.