An Examination of the Response of U.S. Army Reserves (Compo 3) Medical Units During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The activation of the U.S. Army Reserves, was part of the Department of Defense support to the Federal Emergency Management Agency's whole of government response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The U.S. Army Reserve (COMPO 3) and the Army National Guard medical units supported communities across the U.S. in their fight against COVID-19. U.S. Army Reserves and National Guard units supported the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and other government agencies as directed by providing direct patient care as well as critical resources. The current activation framework, while adequate for previous pandemics may not be adequate to handle a pandemic that affected everything in the nation. Given the unique capabilities and activation rates of the United States Army Reserve medical units, they may be best equipped to handle pandemics. The research explored how the U.S. Army Reserve and the Army National Guard medical unit's activation rates contributed to the whole of government response as well as examined how activation rates could be managed for future pandemics and natural disasters.