Posted on Sep 8, 2015
How can the Army's three components work more closely together?
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This article from Military.com talks about some of the efforts that the National Commission on the Future of the Army is looking at for the future of the Army. Anyone who has served in the Army knows that relationships between the active component, the Army Reserve, and the National Guard are still somewhat fractured. What can each component do to change that culture? Also, what can the reserve components do to respond more quickly in a national emergency? We learned a lot of lessons over the past 14 years so how do we implement those and make sure the Army remain's combat ready even with the drawdown.
http://www.military.com/daily-news/2015/09/08/effort-to-bring-army-national-guard-closer-results-in-redesign.html
http://www.military.com/daily-news/2015/09/08/effort-to-bring-army-national-guard-closer-results-in-redesign.html
Posted in these groups: 
Army Reserve
Army National Guard
Army Reserve Army National Guard
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 16
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I experienced this in Desert Storm---Guard and Reserve units activated and used for manual labor or not given assignments at all-----Perhaps someone should remind the active military these people are American citizens---not the enemy---they haven't the same amount of training or experience an active component has--but they shouldn't be excluded from active participation just because their Guard or Reservists. If this is the case --there's no point in activating them at all---the active soldiers will have to carry the load themselves.
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The Pentagon and state department needs to have a plan, and to get feedback from all 3 components.
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Sir, there are several efforts to bring all COMPO elements together. Example, 351 CACOM is attached to PACOM AOR. Several real-world and training exercises occur every FY. BNs are aligned with PACOM units. My BN is aligned to the 8TSC. Reserves are imbedded with the GCCs I believe it’s called AREC/T Concept Plan. Planned Partnership Programs Initiative (3Pi) which partners civilian agencies with units. Much like the National Guard has. And for readiness, that’s a commander’s responsibility and with 12304b MOB authority to the GCC, this should be an easy opportunity to stay service connected.
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COL Jon Thompson
How is that regional alignment working? In the late 1990s prior to 9-11, I was the XO of a PSYOP battalion that was regionally aligned with CENTCOM. Each of the USAR battalions had a similar alignment with a GCC. On the active duty side, there was only one tactical PSYOP battalion and the rest were regional as well. After 9-11, they all deployed to OIF and OEF. I think it worked well in peacetime to give training focus but as soon as OEF started, that went out the door. That unit was my last operational USAR unit and after getting promoted to LTC, I went to the training side of the USAR. Sounds like there are more partnership opportunities now which is a good thing.
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I think the Commission is an idea long overdue. When we began the QDR process we should have formed this committee. Having all three components, the Army Secretariat, and Congress, and other vested partners collaborate and create a dialogue about roles, missions, and standards will go a long way. The Army is completing a sustained period of deployments, and can take this opportunity to craft the Army we'll need to enter the second quarter of this century. There's been a lot of groundwork laid already, especially in terms of DSCA missions, the Dual Status Commander statues, for example, but we can't leave the work half done.
My first question: What is the tasking and authority of this National Commission? Are their findings advisory or binding?
My first question: What is the tasking and authority of this National Commission? Are their findings advisory or binding?
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COL Jon Thompson
I can't imagine they would be binding because there are too many politics involved. From the article, it arose out of the dispute between the Army and the National Guard on helicopter asset re-allocations. I would bet that whatever comes out of it will look much different from what ends up happening.
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LTC (Join to see)
Over the course of my career, I've seen numerous attempts to bridge the cultural gap, but none have ever seemed to have had any staying power. I think the re-allocation of helicopter assets looks good on paper, but is merely a power grab. Yes, AH-64s don't a have a DSCA role, but they are an important asset for a balanced, capable strategic reserve. Just because the AC failed to manage an OH-58 replacement procurement program, is no reason to fundamentally change force structure and the corresponding second a third order effects (i.e. all your attack choppers are in the active component, now they'll get no breaks from an extended deployment cyclele. AND the birds will break down and wear out at an increased rate. I guess they better hurry up with the replacement for the AH-64...).
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It really upsets me when AD soldiers treat the RC with contempt. That being said, the RC/NG needs to integrate with ARNORTH the, Combatant Command, for large disasters. The RC/NG needs to integrate with State and Local authorities as well, and work with NORTHCOM for funding. Usually missions conducted by various units is on a reimbursable basis, but if you don't have funds then the units has to ask for funds. I have used DTS to issue orders and funding to the soldiers with DTS. All I had to do was use a Title 10 fund site to accomplish this. I hope this helps.
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