Defense Primer: Reserve Forces (CRS Report for Congress)
| Release Date |
Revised June 11, 2024 |
| Report Number |
IF10540 |
| Report Type |
In Focus |
| Authors |
Lawrence Kapp |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
| Older Revisions |
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Summary:
The term reserve component (RC) refers collectively to the
seven individual reserve components of the Armed Forces.
Congress exercises authority over the reserve components
under its constitutional authority “to raise and support
Armies,” “to provide and maintain a Navy,” and “to
provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining the
Militia....” (Article I, Section 8)
There are seven reserve components:
Army National Guard
Army Reserve
Navy Reserve
Marine Corps Reserve
Air National Guard
Air Force Reserve
Coast Guard Reserve
The purpose of these seven reserve components, as codified
in law, is to “provide trained units and qualified persons
available for active duty in the armed forces, in time of war
or national emergency, and at such other times as the
national security may require, to fill the needs of the armed
forces whenever more units and persons are needed than are
in the regular components.” The Army National Guard and
the Air National Guard also have an important role under
state authority, responding to various emergencies such as
disasters and civil disorders.
