Post-Mobilization and Training of Army Reserve Component Combat Units

This report investigates how long it takes Reserve Component (RC) combat units to mobilize and prepare for deployment. It is based on data from Operation Desert Shield training of combat brigades, data from the Army Inspector General, Active unit training programs, and RAND observations of RC Annual Training. The analysis first defines twelve post-mobilization activities that RC combat units must complete before they are ready to load equipment for overseas shipment. It then estimates the time needed for the twelve activities under three scenarios (optimistic, intermediate, and pessimistic), which vary in assumptions about future RC peacetime training proficiency. The report finds that the optimistic case will require 79 days; the intermediate case, 104 days; and the pessimistic case, 128 days. These estimates assume that leadership can complete its command and control training in parallel with troop training and that adequate training support from the Active Component will be available. If either assumption does not hold, then more time would be required.