Rebalancing the Active and Reserve Component Forces

The future security environment and current fiscal constraints will require the Air Force to become smaller, but remain highly capable, lethal, ready, agile, and deployable. To achieve these ends, the Air Force has to maintain effective relationships between each of its components and Congress while rebalancing the force to meet current realities and likely future trends. When incorporated effectively, the new Total Force Enterprise approach to the Active and Reserve Component mix will enhance the Air Force s ability to restore and maintain an appropriate active-reserve balance, while continuing the Air Force s historically very good relationship with the Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard. This paper discusses the Air Force s Active and Reserve Components while examining the evolution of the Total Force Enterprise with emphasis on the Total Force Enterprise Review Process. Recommendations and enhancements to the Total Force Enterprise process are presented in three focus areas Common Orientation, System Force Composition Analysis studies, and Communication Plan.