United Forces at Your Disposal: Transforming NATO Reserves into Collaborative Assets
Going Beyond the Call: Enhancing NATO Capabilities through Reserve Integration
Facing escalating security threats, NATO nations are striving to ** beef up their forces both in active duty and reserves, and fine-tune** their interoperability across borders. One innovative approach that could tackle both challenges is by enhancing reserve capabilities: teaching these forces how to excel as a multinational force while expanding the pool of available troops.
While NATO hasn't overlooked the power of reserves, especially those from countries with conscription, they've primarily been used ad hoc, through task forces and a can-do spirit. However, a more deliberate approach could have significant benefits. For instance, Finland, with 24,000 active personnel, can mobilize an impressive 280,000 soldiers thanks to its reserve forces during wartime. NATO exercises already see 30-40% reserve participation, contributing significantly to multinational operations.
Moving forward, a broad, strategic vision could boost the reserve contribution even further. Considering 14 million Europeans (3.1% of the total EU population) living in a country other than their citizenship, and a higher percentage among the military-age cohorts, an integrated program could transform potential manpower losses into gains. By creating a framework to integrate former service members living in other NATO countries as individuals or multinational reserve units, NATO could capitalize on a vast pool of skilled personnel.
This integration could manifest in various forms. One option involves expanding existing policies that allow reservists to train away from assigned units or facilities. A more ambitious project might emulate the Eurocorps model to develop a NATO Reserve Corps structure.
Traditionally, military reserve policies leverage a national focus; it's uncommon for reservists from different national forces to train together. Nonetheless, reserves across NATO forces share a common function: bridging the gap between civilian and military worlds. Positive public sentiment towards the military is crucial in attracting and keeping necessary troops, especially with the deteriorating security environment.
A stronger reserve force would enable NATO to canvass more trained individuals during times of crisis or war, alleviating the potential over-stretch of active forces. The value of reserves was recognized as early as 1989, with RAND research suggesting an increase in national reserve units to offset shortages in NATO's active forces.
Furthermore, multinational reserves would generally benefit NATO's combat power by offering rich experience and subject-matter expertise across different allied forces. The least complex option to kickstart this process would involve borrowing the U.S.'s bilateral agreements with allies, allowing overseas reservists to train with local units.
A more ambitious project could establish Multinational Reserve Augmentation Units (MRAUs). These units, hosted by dedicated countries, would accept reservists living within a reasonable distance, providing training opportunities and readiness for mobilization by their home countries. The host unit would gain training value from these engagements, while communal benefits accrue to the host country's expat residents.
While the initial investment might exceed returns, the long-term benefits include training opportunities, foreign cultural exchange, and cost savings through combined efforts. As proven successes, additional MRAUs could be established, eventually rendering initial host countries net beneficiaries.
Lastly, NATO could establish multinational operational reserve units, tackling the inherent challenges of human resource management in combined forces to ensure operational effectiveness. The obstacles notwithstanding, a minilateral approach similar to the Eurocorps could be a viable starting point.
Overcoming bureaucratic inertia is the first hurdle. Although options like international training touch on various laws and policies regulating assignment, pay, and legal status, solutions like study groups could identify key issues and provide recommendations. Moreover, the European Union could leverage this opportunity to reinforce NATO's European pillar and build NATO-EU ties by funding some of the efforts and helping establish the necessary legal framework.
Given the transatlantic unity and the need to maximize reserve potential, NATO should seize this opportunity to thoughtfully re-evaluate the role of reserves in the alliance.
Stephen Dalzell is a senior defense policy researcher at the nonprofit, nonpartisan RAND Corporation. Paul Cormarie is a policy analyst at RAND. The views expressed are their own and do not reflect the official position of the United States Military Academy, Department of the Army, or Department of Defense.
Image credit: NATO
- The proposal to enhance NATO's capabilities suggests a more deliberate approach to incorporate reserves, as they can significantly add to multinational operations and offer a large pool of skilled personnel.
- Considering the transatlantic unity and the need to maximize reserve potential, NATO could establish multinational operational reserve units, employing a minilateral approach similar to the Eurocorps to ensure operational effectiveness.
- To tackle the inherent challenges of human resource management in combined forces, NATO could benefit from study groups identifying key issues and providing recommendations for managing legal aspects, such as assignment, pay, and legal status.
