Reserve chief proposes closer look at active, reserve force mix

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Alexy Saltekoff
  • Air Force Reserve Command Public Affairs
WASHINGTON (AFNS) --  The commander of the Air Force Reserve Command who also is chief of the Air Force Reserve spoke to a standing-room only crowd about military structure for the 21st Century Sept. 13 at the Air Force Association Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition 2010.

Lt. Gen. Charles E. Stenner Jr. was one of dozens of senior leaders who addressed the future of the Air Force, which is faced with reduced budgets and calls for increased efficiency.

"We're going to have to readjust, reapply and rebalance the manpower which currently exists," General Stenner said. The general added that proven reserve capability and cost effectiveness should drive discussions on rebalancing the mix of active and reserve forces.

He said AFRC's challenge is to determine how much of the force to use as requirements change and how to continually use the strategic reserve without unduly straining the force.

"After nearly a decade of continuous combat operations, the reserve components have proven their daily operational capability through mobilization when needed," he said.

He also said one way to better leverage Air Force manpower would be to ease the ability for Airmen to move between active and reserve components providing for a more fluid continuum of service.

"We're looking at ways to ease the administrative processes of moving Airmen between active and reserve components'" he added. "This would allow a faster and more responsive way to balance the force mix."

"Reservists are paid only when training and when called to duty," the general said. "Then they return to a non-paid status in their civilian life."

This reserve participation model provides a way to retain Airmen who have separated after an active duty tour, he said.

"Some of the efficiencies the Department of Defense is looking for may need to come in manpower," the general said. "Additional efficiencies are likely going to come in installation consolidations and headquarter reorganizations."

General Stenner also sees efficiencies in providing reserve assets to combatant commanders directly rather than through other commands.

"The idea is to use a force generation center for all the requests that come in and for all the forces that go out," the general said.

The general explained that AFRC specialists can manage the process internally and provide capability to the warfighter in a predictable and responsible manner.

"Every Air Force mission is the result of total force teamwork," General Stenner said. "I see force rebalancing and a fully operational major command as viable ways to strengthen our commitment to the Air Force's air, space and cyberspace capabilities."