Mobilization and Train-up Times for Army Reserve Component Support Units

This report documents research into the time it takes Reserve Component (RC) support units (such as transportation, engineers, military police, or artillery) to mobilize and prepare for deployment. Using data from 606 units called to duty during Operation Desert Shield, the analysis shows that the times depend on the unit's branch, size (weight of equipment), and mode of transportation (air or sea). Units deploying by air can be ready very quickly (8 to 25 days from call-up to the point when they are ready to load equipment for overseas shipment). Units deploying by sea take longer to prepare (typically 30 days, but up to 10 days more for heavy artillery units), but have more flexibility because they can continue some training while their equipment is in transit to the theater. The report illustrates how the results can make large differences in Active-Reserve allocation decisions. The methodology, which was applied here to a notional Southwest Asia scenario, will allow defense planners to determine whether particular types of RC units can be available in time to respond to future contingencies.