Reserve components' perceptions and changing roles.

Abstract

This article reviews the historical background of Reserve and National Guard forces, total force policy, types of reserve personnel, perceptions and attitudes of reservists, morale and unit cohesion, perceived preparedness for mobilization, mobilizations and demobilizations, current downsizing and reorganizations, operations other than war, and readiness. The majority of the studies report reservists' perceptions and attitudes. Because the majority of the Army's war-making capability is found in the reserves, how well the reserves function has national security implications.