war effort, somewhat similar to their service during World War II. Then, the active/reserve distinction was not a factor.
You talk about the war and the continuing operations involving reservists. Is this what reservists signed up for? How does the reserve factor in now? Force generation has afforded us a predict- ability we have not always enjoyed. Right now, our units are on what we term a “1-to-4 dwell,” meaning for every one year a Marine is deployed, he or she can expect to remain home four years. So if a Marine just returned from Afghanistan, he or she is looking at mobilization in four years. That said, we are moving to a 1-to-5 dwell, increasing a Ma- rine’s time at home. Force generation also gives us flexibility. When a unit comes up for mobilization, it is available to go. We have the flexibility to send them where they’re needed, which may or may not be into the fight. If the situation al-
Marine Corps reservists tackle a variety of missions in Iraq (below, patrolling the Euphrates River near Haditha Dam) and Af- ghanistan (right, visiting with a local family as part of counterinsurgency operations).
lows, we may choose not to mobilize an avail- able unit. My point is we have the flexibility to go in a number of directions. For me, as a com- mander, this is crucial.
How does this predictability affect the force? Because force generation has resulted in pre- dictability, no one is running for the exits. Fami- lies are happy because they have a good idea of when a loved one will deploy. Employers like this. Sure, a guy is guaranteed his job after de- ployment, but losing an employee is a tremen- dous hardship on these businesses, especially
PHOTOS: ABOVE, SGT. ROE F. SEIGLE, USMC; TOP, LANCE CPL. BRIAN JONES, USMC
AU G U S T 2 0 1 0 MI L I T A R Y O F F I C E R 5 1
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