What is the role U.S. Army reserves, in relation to the Army and Army National Guard?

Question

In the 1960s Sec. of Defense Robert McNamara wanted to de facto dissolve the Reserves by totally integrating them into the Army. This old man then a whiz kid seemed to think the Reserves were waste, when in fact they could be maintained at a much lower cost than full combat U.S. Army troops. That was the situation in the 1960s.

What I am wondering what is the role of the Reserves today since and including Vietnam? The Vietnam War was lengthy. Then we had short wars in Grenada and Panama. However, the country is now in a lengthy war in Iraq, how are Reserves being used there? Our country has contributed to earlier UN wars, such as in Kosov and Bosina? What was the role of the Reserves there? Any help on this issue would be appreciated, possible sources, etc.

Answer 1

I'm in the reserves and was called up for Active Duty in 2004.  We ran an entire camp and a entire washrack operation on a Kuwaiti BDE.  Reserve soldiers do allot in this army and go to Iraq just like regular active duty soldiers when they're called up for that 18 months.

Answer 2

The Reserves play a  huge roll in the support aspect compared to the Regular Army and National Guard. Alot of times when a reserve unit is called onto activation, they are used to fill the empty slots of Active units who are deployed from their installation. The Army Forts and bases located around the world still need to be kept up and running while the units are away. National Guard plays a roll in this as well. Reserve units are also utilized in combat zones as well. Since there are only support units in the reserves, unlike the regular Army and NG who have combat jobs, they help out with supplies, personnel, and transportation. There are more jobs than just those in the reserves, but from my experience (9 years active duty and still going) that is what I have seen them used for. When I was with the 101st Airborne, we deployed and other reserve units were called in to keep the place running while we were gone.  

Answer 3

Same thing as active duty Army when deployed. The only difference is that they only train once a month, two weeks a year.