The Ready Reserve is comprised of military members
of the Reserve and National Guard, organized in units or as individuals,
both of which are liable for recall to active duty to augment the active
components in time of war or national emergency as provided by law (10 USC
12301(a) and 12302). The Ready Reserve consists of the Selected Reserve,
Individual Ready Reserve and Inactive National Guard. To learn more about
these three subcategories, see the Topics Index on the right.
Section 10145 of 10 USC provides basic statutory eligibility requirements
for placement in the Ready Reserve. Under the basic requirements outlined,
the following individuals may be assigned to the Ready Reserve:
1. Military personnel released from active duty (other than active duty
for training) who have incurred a total military obligation of up to eight
years.
2. Reserve officers who have incurred a total military obligation of eight
years.
3. Members of the Army and Air National Guard of the United States.
4. Direct enlistees in the Reserves who have incurred a total military obligation
of up to eight years, including not less than 12 weeks of initial active
duty for training.
5. Members whose total length of active and Reserve service is five years
or more who have executed a voluntary agreement to remain in the Ready Reserve
subject to requirements prescribed by appropriate regulations.
6. A member of the Retired Reserve entitled to retired pay or a retired
enlisted member of the regular components of the Armed Forces, if the Secretary
concerned makes a special finding that the member’s services in the Ready
Reserve are indispensable. This responsibility may not be delegated to lower
authority.
