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Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Research Council. 1999. Technology-Based Pilot Programs: Improving Future U.S. Military Reserve Forces. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/9675.
×

TECHNOLOGY-BASED PILOT PROGRAMS

IMPROVING FUTURE U.S. MILITARY RESERVE FORCES

Committee on Reserve Forces for 2010 and Beyond

Division of Military Science and Technology

Commission on Engineering and Technical Systems

National Research Council

NATIONAL ACADEMY PRESS
Washington, D.C.

Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Research Council. 1999. Technology-Based Pilot Programs: Improving Future U.S. Military Reserve Forces. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/9675.
×

NATIONAL ACADEMY PRESS
2101 Constitution Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20418

NOTICE: The project that is the subject of this report was approved by the Governing Board of the National Research Council, whose members are drawn from the councils of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the Institute of Medicine. The members of the committee responsible for the report were chosen for their special competencies and with regard for appropriate balance.

The National Academy of Sciences is a private, nonprofit, self-perpetuating society of distinguished scholars engaged in scientific and engineering research, dedicated to the furtherance of science and technology and to their use for the general welfare. Upon the authority of the charter granted to it by the Congress in 1863, the Academy has a mandate that requires it to advise the federal government on scientific and technical matters. Dr. Bruce M. Alberts is president of the National Academy of Sciences.

The National Academy of Engineering was established in 1964, under the charter of the National Academy of Sciences, as a parallel organization of outstanding engineers. It is autonomous in its administration and in the selection of its members, sharing with the National Academy of Sciences the responsibility for advising the federal government. The National Academy of Engineering also sponsors engineering programs aimed at meeting national needs, encourages education and research, and recognizes the superior achievements of engineers. Dr. William A. Wulf is president of the National Academy of Engineering.

The Institute of Medicine was established in 1970 by the National Academy of Sciences to secure the services of eminent members of appropriate professions in the examination of policy matters pertaining to the health of the public. The Institute acts under the responsibility given to the National Academy of Sciences by its congressional charter to be an adviser to the federal government and, upon its own initiative, to identify issues of medical care, research, and education. Dr. Kenneth I. Shine is president of the Institute of Medicine.

The National Research Council was organized by the National Academy of Sciences in 1916 to associate the broad community of science and technology with the Academy’s purposes of furthering knowledge and advising the federal government. Functioning in accordance with general policies determined by the Academy, the Council has become the principal operating agency of both the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering in providing services to the government, the public, and the scientific and engineering communities. The council is administered jointly by both Academies and the Institute of Medicine. Dr. Bruce M. Alberts and Dr. William A. Wulf are chairman and vice chairman, respectively, of the National Research Council.

This is a report of work supported by Contract DASW01-98-C-0026 between the Office of the Secretary of Defense and the National Academy of Sciences. The views, opinions, and findings contained in this report are those of the author(s) and should not be construed as an official Department of Defense position, or decision, unless so designated by other official documentation.

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Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Research Council. 1999. Technology-Based Pilot Programs: Improving Future U.S. Military Reserve Forces. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/9675.
×

COMMITTEE ON RESERVE FORCES FOR 2010 AND BEYOND

DONALD N. FREDERICKSEN, chair,

Hicks and Associates, McLean, Virginia

JOHN D. CHRISTIE, vice chair,

Logistics Management Institute, McLean, Virginia

BISHNU S. ATAL,

AT&T Laboratories, Florham Park, New Jersey

JAMES R. BLAKER,

Science Applications International Corporation, McLean, Virginia

JOHN R. BRINKERHOFF,

Institute for Defense Analyses, Alexandria, Virginia

MARION R. BRYSON,

North Tree Management, Monterey, California

BEVERLY B. BYRON,

Byron-Butcher Associates, Washington, D.C.

SAMUEL E. EBBESEN,

VITELCO, U.S. Virgin Islands

FREDERICK L. FROSTIC,

Booz-Allen & Hamilton, Inc., McLean, Virginia

WALTER B. LaBERGE,

University of Texas, Austin

RAYMOND P. MARCHI,

TRW Corporation, Inc., Albuquerque, New Mexico

WILLIAM E. RAMSEY, consultant,

Pensacola, Florida

JOHN RUML, consultant,

Cambria, California

BRUCE W. SCHMEISER,

Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana

HARRY E. SOYSTER,

MPRI, Alexandria, Virginia

LANGHORNE P. WITHERS, consultant,

Springfield, Virginia

National Research Council Staff

BRUCE A. BRAUN, director,

Division of Military Science and Technology

MARGARET N. NOVACK, study director

JACQUELINE JOHNSON, senior project assistant

NORMAN M. HALLER, technical consultant

MARGO FRANCESCO, publication manager

Liaisons

ANTHONY J. BURSHNICK, consultant,

Springfield, Virginia

RUTH M. DAVIS,

Pymatuning Group, Inc., Alexandria, Virginia

THOMAS L. McNAUGHER,

RAND Corporation, Washington, D.C.

Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Research Council. 1999. Technology-Based Pilot Programs: Improving Future U.S. Military Reserve Forces. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/9675.
×

COMMISSION ON ENGINEERING AND TECHNICAL SYSTEMS

W. DALE COMPTON chair,

Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana

ELEANOR BAUM,

Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, New York, New York

RUTH M. DAVIS,

Pymatuning Group, Inc., Alexandria, Virginia

HENRY J. HATCH,

American Society of Civil Engineers, Reston, Virginia

STUART L. KNOOP,

Oudens and Knoop, Architects, PC, Chevy Chase, Maryland

NANCY G. LEVESON,

Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge

CORA B. MARRETT,

University of Massachusetts, Amherst

ROBERT M. NEREM,

Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta

LAWRENCE T. PAPAY,

Bechtel Technology and Consulting, San Francisco, California

BRADFORD W. PARKINSON,

Stanford University, Stanford, California

JERRY SCHUBEL,

New England Aquarium, Boston, Massachusetts

BARRY M. TROST,

Stanford University, Stanford, California

JAMES C. WILLIAMS,

Ohio State University, Columbus

RONALD W. YATES,

U.S. Air Force (retired), Monument, Colorado

Staff

DOUGLAS BAUER, executive director

DENNIS CHAMOT, associate executive director

SYLVIA GILBERT, administrative associate

CARLA MOORE, administrative assistant

SHARON SEGAL, financial officer

CAROL R. ARENBERG, editor

Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Research Council. 1999. Technology-Based Pilot Programs: Improving Future U.S. Military Reserve Forces. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/9675.
×

Preface

As the twenty-first century approaches, the number of full-time, active duty personnel in the U.S. military (excluding the Reserves and National Guard) is about 1.4 million, the lowest level since before World War II. Nevertheless, the U.S. military is supposed to be prepared to fight two major-theater wars almost simultaneously while conducting peacekeeping operations and other assignments around the globe. To fulfill this wide range of missions, the U.S. military must continue to rely on the Reserves and National Guard, which are known collectively as the reserve components. The current number of reserve components is almost equal to the number of active duty personnel. In the case of the U.S. Army, the number of reserves is double the number of active personnel.

This study addresses how technology can be used to improve the readiness and effectiveness of the reserve components and their integration with the active components. Many technologies are expected to enhance the capabilities of the U.S. military in the twenty-first century, including precision weapons, high-fidelity sensors, long-range surveillance, enhanced stealth characteristics, and advanced communications and information systems. This study reaffirms the importance of improved communication and information systems, for improving comprehensive training and accelerating the mobilization of reserve components for military missions in the coming decade. Although programs using these technologies are already under way in both the reserve and active components of the military, this study focuses on the effectiveness of reserve components and active-reserve integration.

In this study, the committee develops pilot programs to take advantage of these advanced technologies. Well designed, innovative pilot programs could be very valuable to the U.S. Department of Defense because they could provide a low-cost, low-risk means of exploring new approaches and furnishing data related to the effectiveness and use of reserve and active military components. The pilot programs in this study should be considered both specific suggestions and generic examples of the kinds of programs that should be explored by the Department of Defense.

Pilot programs that could promote the integration of reserve and active components are especially valuable. Remote and distributed learning, advanced simulators, and interactive, distributed exercises could substantially improve the proficiency of reserve personnel. These technologies could also be used to train reserve and active personnel simultaneously, even if they are geographically separated. Pilot programs that experiment with modern communications and information technologies could be used to assess whether U.S.-based reserve components could support commanders and forces engaged in overseas military operations. Other programs address the potential for technology to alleviate the time consuming chores that now accompany the mobilization of reserve forces. Pilot programs may demonstrate that advanced technologies could lessen some of the difficulties of integrating part-time reservists and full-time personnel.

The committee that conducted this study wants to express its appreciation to the many representatives of the Department of Defense and other experts who furnished oral and written information. Their input was vital to the committee's deliberations. Finally, the committee expresses its gratitude to the staff of the National Research Council for its assistance during the study; without their support, this task could not have been completed.

Donald N. Fredericksen, chair

Committee on Reserve Forces for 2010 and Beyond

Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Research Council. 1999. Technology-Based Pilot Programs: Improving Future U.S. Military Reserve Forces. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/9675.
×
This page in the original is blank.
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Research Council. 1999. Technology-Based Pilot Programs: Improving Future U.S. Military Reserve Forces. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/9675.
×

Acknowledgments

This report has been reviewed by individuals chosen for their diverse perspectives and technical expertise, in accordance with procedures approved by the National Research Council's Report Review Committee. The purpose of this independent review is to provide candid and critical comments that will assist the authors and the NRC in making the published report as sound as possible and to ensure that the report meets institutional standards for objectivity, evidence, and responsiveness to the study charge. The contents of the review comments and draft manuscript remain confidential to protect the integrity of the deliberative process. We wish to thank the following individuals for their participation in the review of this report:

Brian Barr, U.S. Army

Frederic J. Brown, Institute for Defense Analyses

Vinton G. Cerf, MCI Worldcom

Philip R. Clark, GPU Nuclear Corporation (retired)

Gerald P. Dinneen, Honeywell, Inc. (retired)

Robert L. Goldich, Library of Congress

Thomas R. Lalime, RTA Corporation

Larry G. Lehowicz, Quantum Research, International

F. Robert Naka, CERA, Inc.

Alton D. Slay, Slay Enterprises, Inc.

Eugene P. Wilkinson, Institute of Nuclear Power Operation (retired)

John W. Woodmansee, Tactical Rescue Gear, Inc.

While the individuals listed above have provided many constructive comments and suggestions, responsibility for the final content of this report rests solely with the authoring committee and the NRC.

Page viii Cite
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Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Research Council. 1999. Technology-Based Pilot Programs: Improving Future U.S. Military Reserve Forces. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/9675.
×
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Research Council. 1999. Technology-Based Pilot Programs: Improving Future U.S. Military Reserve Forces. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/9675.
×
   

High-Priority Pilot Programs

 

31

   

Increased Training Time through Technology

 

31

   

Advanced Distributed-Learning Technology for Maintenance Personnel

 

32

   

Streamlined Administrative Processes

 

32

   

Telesupport and Remote Staffing

 

32

   

Highlighted Pilot Programs

 

32

   

Reserve Component Battle-Staff Officer Performance

 

32

   

Best-of-Type Competitions

 

32

   

Reserve Peacekeeping Battle Laboratory

 

33

   

Continuous Land Warfare

 

33

   

Other Pilot Programs

 

33

   

Cadre Units for Peacekeeping Operations

 

33

   

Reserve Component Participation in the Aftermath of Incidents Involving Weapons of Mass Destruction

 

33

   

Information Technologists in the Total Force

 

33

   

Unmanned Vehicles

 

34

   

Biosensors

 

34

   

Total Force for the Twenty-First Century

 

34

   

Helicopter Unit Interfaces with Allies

 

34

   

Test-Bed for Active Force Transformation

 

34

   

Additional Considerations

 

34

   

Benefits of Pilot Programs

 

34

   

Development of Additional Pilot Programs

 

34

   

Baseline Data Collection

 

35

   

Data Management

 

35

   

Appendix to Chapter 4

 

36

5

 

DESCRIPTIONS OF HIGH-PRIORITY AND HIGHLIGHTED PILOT PROGRAMS

 

43

   

High-Priority Pilot Programs

 

43

   

Increased Training Time through Technology

 

43

   

Advanced Distributed-Learning Technology for Maintenance Personnel

 

46

   

Streamlined Administrative Processes

 

49

   

Telesupport and Remote Staffing

 

52

   

Highlighted Pilot Programs

 

54

   

Reserve Component Battle-Staff Officer Performance

 

54

   

Best-of-Type Competitions

 

55

   

Reserve Peacekeeping Battle Laboratory

 

56

   

Continuous Land Warfare

 

57

6

 

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

 

60

   

Conclusions

 

60

   

National Security Environment

 

60

   

Technological Environment

 

60

   

Effect of Technologies on Reserve Components

 

61

   

Other Conclusions

 

61

   

Recommendations

 

61

 

 

REFERENCES

 

63

 

 

APPENDICES

 

 

   

A COMMITTEE MEETINGS

 

67

   

B DESCRIPTIONS OF OTHER PILOT PROGRAMS

 

70

Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Research Council. 1999. Technology-Based Pilot Programs: Improving Future U.S. Military Reserve Forces. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/9675.
×

Tables, Figure, and Boxes

TABLES

2-1

 

U.S. Armed Forces: Active and Ready Reserve Strengths as of September 30, 1998

 

11

2-2

 

Total Force Strength during and after the Cold War

 

12

2-3

 

Organization and Strength of the Ready Reserve as of September 30, 1998

 

13

2-4

 

Varying Levels of Participation by Reserve Components

 

15

FIGURE

4-1

 

Rankings of pilot programs

 

30

BOXES

ES-1

 

Other Pilot Programs for Consideration

 

6

3-1

 

Potential Areas of Change

 

20

4-1

 

Overview of Pilot Programs

 

28

4-2

 

Sample Pilot Program, Test, and Experiment

 

29

Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Research Council. 1999. Technology-Based Pilot Programs: Improving Future U.S. Military Reserve Forces. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/9675.
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As the twenty-first century approaches, the number of full-time, active duty personnel in the U.S. military (excluding the Reserves and National Guard) is about 1.4 million, the lowest level since before World War II. Nevertheless, the U.S. military is supposed to be prepared to fight two major-theater wars almost simultaneously while conducting peacekeeping operations and other assignments around the globe. To fulfill this wide range of missions, the U.S. military must continue to rely on the Reserves and National Guard, which are known collectively as the reserve components. The current number of reserve components is almost equal to the number of active duty personnel. In the case of the U.S. Army, the number of reserves is double the number of active personnel.

This study addresses how technology can be used to improve the readiness and effectiveness of the reserve components and their integration with the active components. Many technologies are expected to enhance the capabilities of the U.S. military in the twenty-first century, including precision weapons, high-fidelity sensors, long-range surveillance, enhanced stealth characteristics, and advanced communications and information systems. This study reaffirms the importance of improved communication and information systems, for improving comprehensive training and accelerating the mobilization of reserve components for military missions in the coming decade. Although programs using these technologies are already under way in both the reserve and active components of the military, this study focuses on the effectiveness of reserve components and active-reserve integration.

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