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Abstract:
As an integral part of the U.S. military, the reserve components (RCs) are continually called upon to support operations around the globe. Within the Department of Defense (DoD), there are six RCs: Army Reserve (USAR), Army National Guard (ARNG), Air Force Reserve (USAFR), Air National Guard (ANG), Navy Reserve (USNR), and Marine Corps Reserve (USMCR). Since September 2001, at least 807,809 reservists have been involuntarily and voluntarily called to active duty in a federal status. The RCs are responsible for the readiness of reservists -- they must ensure that reservists are not only properly equipped and trained, but also medically ready to serve. Medical readiness means that service members are free from health-related conditions that could limit their ability to carry out their duties, whether in garrison or deployed. Medically ready reservists require less medical and dental support in theater and fewer medical evacuations from theater, both of which save money and free assets for other purposes. The Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) and the armed services have established a set of requirements for individual medical readiness (IMR). Each service has its own approach for supporting its RC members in meeting IMR requirements, getting vaccinations, and obtaining medical and dental treatment as needed. Concerned about potential member medical readiness shortfalls and inconsistencies in the IMR requirements, the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs asked RAND to provide options for DoD policy that would help the RCs achieve higher levels of IMR for this new operating environment. Specifically, the study sought to identify existing medical/dental readiness requirements, to quantify the current status of RC medical/dental readiness, to identify obstacles to achieving compliance, and to identify alternatives to improve medical/dental readiness.
| Limitations: |
 APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE |
| Description: |
Monograph |
| Pages: |
129 |
| Report Date: |
Jan 2012 |
| Contract Number: |
W74V8H-06-C-0002 |
| Report Number: |
A282955 |
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