v.s . 
tOI· 2. · 
~I "FIRST WORD"
SU ·Y A1 l'3l!f rAL THC L!E ..At~IES 
OEPO.SI fORY CO? 
12 

Army ROTC 


2 
"First Word" 
RESERVE is the first word in R.O.T.C., Reserve Officers Training Corps. The corps is made up of tens of thousands of young men and women students at hundreds of colleges and universities around the nation . 
They come from many different backgrounds and join Army R.O.T.C. for many different reasons . Leadership instruction. Scholarships. A chance to do something adventurous. Extra income. Career alternatives. And the opportunity to contribute to the well-being of their country. 
Whatever the reason, cadets are bonded together by a striving for excellence in leadership. Army R.O.T.C . is a program designed to develop the leadership potential of each cadet to its fullest. Many graduates have gone on to become leaders in the military, as well as in government, science, business, and industry. 
For a large number of cadets, the freshman and sophomore years in college offer opportunities for exploring a variety of career fields. Those first two years allow cadets to learn about the challenges of service as an officer in the Active Army, Army National Guard, and Army Reserve, without obligation. The chance to "try the Army on for size" a few hours each week. They have opportunity to learn what it takes to be a leader in a large, energetic organization, with no obligation to serve in any branch of the military. 
In their junior and senior years, those who decide to stay in the program continue their Military Science studies. 
After graduation and successful completion of the R.O.T.C. program, they've earned the gold bars of second lieutenants. Gold bars are symbols which represent achievement, respons ibility, and trust. They ore worn proudly by both men and women who serve as officers in the Army, Army National Guard and Army Reserve. These are the three organizations that comprise today's Total Army, 

and each one plays a vital role in America 's defense program. 
This booklet will tell you about one of the most dynamic and desirable of the three Army Components. The U.S. Army Reserve . The first word in R.O.T.C. 
Long Trod ition 
The Army Reserve was established in 1908 when Congress created the Medical Reserve Corps. Since then , the Army Reserve has become the Nation's largest military Reserve component. It has more than 3,000 units located in 1,000 c ities and towns across the country. The Army Reserve is made up of hundreds of thousands of dedicated men and women-citizen-soldiers-who have fulltime civilian careers. At the same time by maintaining their military proficiency, they serve the Nation, by being ready to defend it against threats to National Security. Army Reservists are prepared to set aside their civilian roles, and respond 
to a call to active duty in support of the Active Component in case of war or National emergency. 
In 1973, when the all-volunteer Army was created, the importance of the Army Reserve increased dramatically. With the size of the Active Component reduced, preparedness plans call for immediate mobilization of the Reserve Components. In fact, more than 50 percent of the Army's defense capability rests with Reserve Components. 
In the event of war, the immediate support provided by the Army Reserve and National Guard would be indispensable to our Active Force . As a result, the Department of the Army has placed a significant amount of emphasis on the training, equipment, and facilities for Reservists. This emphasis is designed to achieve and maintain the highest levels of military readiness. Reservists are no longer "bench warmers." They are vital members of the first team. 
The People 
One of the outstanding characteristics of the men and women who serve in the Army Reserve is their dedication. For many, the Reserve is more than just a part-time job, or a means to earn extra income. It's a way to improve their community and help provide a strong National defense. Their dedication often goes beyond scheduled morythly meetings. On many occasions, they volunteer their experience, skills, and time without additional pay. 
Army Reservists come from all walks of life . The variety of civilian careers spans a wide range, including automotive and aircraft mechanics, civil service workers, fire fighters, pilots, architects, police, merchants, construction workers, lawyers, carpenters, masons, civil engineers, doctors, truck drivers, computer technicians, farmers, dentists, nurses, university professors, office workers, professional athletes, and others. 
The enormous diversification of skills provides the Nation with a valuable manpower resource. Whenever possible, the service uses the skills and experience of its personnel to the best advantage. Frequently, the civilian jobs of Army Reservists closely parallel their military duties. 

The Organization 
Officers and enlisted personnel serve in three categories: Ready Reserve, Standby Reserve, and Retired Reserve. 
The latter group is made up of those people who have completed a combined total of at least 20 years qualifying service in the Active Army and1or one of its Reserve components. 
The Standby Reserve consists of men and women who have fulfilled their obligations in the Ready Reserve but may be eligible for mobilization under certain conditions. 
Largest of the t hree categories is the 

Ready Reserve. This group is made up of individual Army Reservists, and Reserve units trained and ready for immediate mobilization. There are more than 3,000 company and detachment-sized combat, combat support, and combat service support elements. 
Units range in size from a two-man history detachment to a 4,200-man infantry brigade. Many units in the system include types found in the Active Component. But the Army Reserve also has a number of unique units-such as MP (POW) Commands, Civil Affairs Commands, and Training Divisions-units that can be found only in the Reserve. 
Sixty-five Army Reserve Commands and General Officer Commands have regional responsibility for smaller, subordinate units around the Country. The commands maintain either direct authority or administrative control of the smaller units. 
Officers and enlisted personnel in the Ready Reserve who are not in units are members of the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR), under the command of the Reserve Component Personnel and Administration Center (RCPAC) in St. Louis, MO. The IRR is a vitally important element of the Total Army. Basically, it is a pool of men and women who have special skills. Members of the IRR are utilized to augment units of the Army Reserve, Army National Guard, and the Active Component during mobilization, Annual Training, or under other special circumstances. 
While the IRR members are not required to attend Army Reserve training assemblies, they have the opportunity to undertake a variety of assignments. They may serve with units during Annual Training, which is often held at an Active installation for two consecutive weeks, usually in the summer. In the "Counterpart Training Program," some Ready Reservists in the IRR volunteer to perform up 
to 35 days of paid training each year with an Active Component unit to sharpen their military skills.Also in the IRR, officers can continue their military education through Army correspondence courses and USAR schools which counts toward earning retirement credits. 
Some IRR officers are selected for the Mobilization Designee (MOB DES) program. Under this program, the officers are assigned to key Active Army or other DOD headquarters elements. Their two weeks of Annual Training are spent with that headquarters. They also have an opportunity to spend additional paid training days on special assignments. 
Officer Career Management 
Career management for Army Reserve officers is of utmost importance. To facilitate high caliber, professional career management, the Army Reserve developed its own Officer Personnel Management System (OPMS-USAR). 
It is administered by the Reserve Components Personnel Administration Center located at St. Louis. 
Basically, OPMS is a systematic way to provide personal assistance to each Army Reserve officer. Everyone is assigned to a similar ranking Reserve officer-counselor at the center. It is the counselor'sjob to personally contact by mail and by telephone all of the officers assigned to him or her. The counselor provides advice on such things as correspondence courses, available openings in units located near the officer's hometown and guidance in educational opportunities that will enhance the officer's career. OPMS also gives each Reserve officer a responsible individual at the records center who can be contacted for information or direct assistance. 
OPMS ensures that Army Reserve officers receive accurate career guidance to further the goals of Reserve officers and the objectives of the service. 

Community Assistance 
While the Army Reserve is a federal Reserve component of the U.S. Army, it is also a "community-based" organization. Army Reserve units provide direct assistance to more than 1,000 cities and towns by helping to solve the numerous problems faced by those communities. 
For the most part, the community service efforts of Army Reserve units are directly related to training missions . In other cases, time spent on community improvement projects is volunteered by Reservists. 
In the past Army Reserve units have constructed roads, children's centers, playgrounds, and parks. They have helped to restore the ecological balance of rivers and forests . They have assisted in community clean-up operations after floods, and have provided neighborhood health clinics for communities. And they work with youth groups and senior citizens organizations. 

The Army Reserve's community service program gives Reservists a unique opportunity to improve the places in which they live, work, and train . At the same time, they can apply their military occupational skills to help the people of their communities. 
Army Reserve R.O.T.C. 
The Army Reserve option has much to offer an R.O.T.C. cadet, especially one who has career plans in a specific location or industry. It allows the cadet to simultaneously fulfill civilian career ambitions and a part-time military career as an officer. It means starting a civilian career right after college-getting that important first step on the career ladder. And it means joining a dynamic military organization with a wide range of Army support and service functions. Two opportunities. Two careers. 
Having a commission in the Army Reserve is an important credential which enhances qualifications for any civi lian job. And close association with other Reservists who are leaders in the community can be of invaluable assistance in civilian business or professional endeavors. 
If you , or someone you know would like more information about Army 'R.O.T.C. and the Army Reserve Career Option, speak to the Army Professor of Military Science atyour school . 


· ~
·'··· .-~ .. 
API 622, JANUARY 1979, U S GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1979 281 001