Critical Manpower Problems Restrict the Use of National Guard and Reserve Forces

U.S. Reserve forces have manpower problems that would seriously limit their ability to perform if needed quickly in wartime. In 1973 the United States adopted the All-Volunteer Force concept to staff its military forces. One of the important changes implemented, along with the All-Volunteer Force, was the total force concept, which declared an integration of the roles of the active and Reserve components into one unified fighting force.