Defense Primer: Reserve Forces (CRS Report for Congress)
| Release Date |
Revised Nov. 22, 2024 |
| Report Number |
IF10540 |
| Report Type |
In Focus |
| Authors |
Kristy N. Kamarck; Carly A. Miller |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
| Older Revisions |
-
Premium Revised June 11, 2024 (3 pages, $24.95)
add
-
Premium Revised Jan. 17, 2023 (2 pages, $24.95)
add
-
Premium Revised Dec. 21, 2021 (3 pages, $24.95)
add
-
Premium Revised Jan. 28, 2021 (3 pages, $24.95)
add
-
Premium Revised Jan. 6, 2020 (3 pages, $24.95)
add
-
Premium Revised Dec. 12, 2018 (2 pages, $24.95)
add
-
Premium Dec. 9, 2016 (2 pages, $24.95)
add
|
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 Space Force, under the Department of the Air Force,
does not have a reserve component (10 U.S.C. §20001).
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.” (10 U.S.C. §10102) 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.
