Costs and Benefits of Reserve Participation: New Evidence from the 1992 Reserve Components Survey,

Abstract

Abstract : Before Operation Desert Shield/Storm (ODS/S), the last major mobilization of reservists occurred almost 50 years ago during the Korean conflict. Thus, reservists serving in the Selected Reserve Components before 1990 had largely no experience with a large-scale reserve mobilization. In fact, the likelihood of a reserve mobilization was probably viewed as so remote that it played almost no role in decisions to join or remain in the reserve forces. The ODS/S mobilization, and the subsequent involvement of reservists in various other operations, ranging from the Army Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) Sinai Initiative to the current effort in Bosnia, have changed this perception in important ways. It is clear that the Reserve Components are expected to play an important role in responding to regional crises, as well as in peacekeeping, peace enforcement, and humanitarian assistance operations. For instance, since 1991, Reserve Component members were activated or volunteered to support Operation Restore Democracy (Haiti), Provide Promise and Deny Flight (Bosnia), Restore Hope (Somalia), Southern Watch (Southern Iraq), and Provide Comfort (Northern Iraq). Mobilizations are likely to be more frequent in the future and are likely to have important effects on reservists' attitudes and the degree of support they receive from their families and civilian employers.