L Boykin - Böcker

This collection of original articles addresses current policy issues for manning the U.S. Naval Reserve. The expert contributors represent several social science disciplines and approach their subject from a variety of perspectives. Some evaluate existing policy processes and make recommendations for their improvement. Others reflect on the functions and dysfunctions of the process from a theoretical standpoint. All, however, examine the formulation and implementation of policy within the specific context of contemporary changes in society. The specific issues discussed include recruitment, manpower, training, mobilization readiness, retention, organizational relevance, and societal relevance. Also considered are the sociopsychological motivations of individuals who join the reserves. The editors provide an understanding of the participation of individuals in large-scale organizations and how this relates to the problems of developing realistic policies for manning the U.S. military forces as a whole. They stress the increasing importance of the military reserves in a society where conscription and large standing armies may no longer be politically viable options. The volume also contains a current and comprehensive bibliography of research monographs and technical reports pertaining to this subject.