The Role of Reserve Forces in Contemporary Security

Analysis of the U.S. Army National Guard and Polish Territorial Defence Forces

Abstract

The study examines the role of reserve forces in the context of the recent rapidly changing security policy environment. The author is looking for an answer to how reserve systems support national self-defence capabilities and NATO’s collective defence objectives. The research describes the five main task groups of the reserve forces, ranging from the training to the provision of specialised capabilities. The study analyses organisational structures of the United States Army National Guard and the Polish Territorial Defence Forces. The analysis highlights the training methodologies, the armament and military equipment of both organisations. The study concludes that a well-trained and well-equipped reserve force component is unable to replace but effectively complement the regular armed forces. This dual structure significantly increases national resilience against hybrid and conventional threats as well.