Given the present shortfall in recruiting and increasing military commitments around the world, active reserve force levels have been stretched to the limit. Perhaps the only possible short-term solution is to call up more reserves and National Guard members or draw down troops from our continental bases or stations such as Korea.
Today, there is no draft and young people have many other options besides joining the military. There are, however, large numbers of former service members who would like to reconnect with the military. These veterans would likely see reserve/active duty both as patriotic service and something beneficial to themselves as well.
Former service members between the ages of 35 and 55 are not eligible at the moment to rejoin the armed services unless they are physicians or lawyers. The hundreds of thousands of veterans not in these professions still possess valuable work skills and maturity.
Joining Reserve Veterans units at this time in their lives might be an attractive option for many of these former service members. The Army, Navy, Marine, Air Force, or Coast Guard Reserve Veterans would be open to those between the ages of 35 and 53 who have previous service and are otherwise physically fit and qualified to the level of current members of National Guard and reserve units. Those electing to join Reserve Veterans units would be credited with a maximum of three years previous service for retirement benefits, which would begin at age 62. Such benefit payments would be exclusive of any Social Security benefits and other financial or retirement benefits and would be prorated as a percentage of the usual full retirement age.
Enlistment in the Reserve Veterans would be for three or four years. A reenlistment bonus would be paid for each year of reserve enlistment commitment. For each year of reserve service, a veteran enlistee also would receive a half-year of retirement credit. For active-duty service, these personnel would receive full retirement credit. The payment of such benefits would be calculated on the highest grade an individual had obtained when completing his or her enlistment, or on retirement from a Reserve Veterans unit.
Previous service grade would be considered on initial enlistment in the Reserve Veterans. A minimum grade of E-2 or higher initially would be given in consideration of previous service experience and qualifications. Future promotions would be modeled on present reserve regulations. Reserve Veterans members on active and reserve duty would receive the same pay and benefits as all other service members similarly positioned. And all would serve under and be subject to the Unified Code of Military Justice.
Each enlistee would be sent for an initial period of retraining, followed by specialized instruction in security, control, culture, language, basic law, public affairs, or other areas. After that, an individual would be placed on activeduty status for a year, or more, as necessary. Members of the Reserve Veterans could request active-duty status and be accepted if billets are available. Each member not on active duty would be assigned to drill and train with a local or regional Guard or reserve unit.
These vital personnel would be especially important to intelligence, civil affairs, military police, logistics, and many other communities where experience is desperately needed.
Mr. Stewart is an archaeologist who lives in Cheslertown, Maryland, and is a previous contributor to Proceedings.