WASHINGTON, Jan. 11 — The Pentagon announced Thursday that reservists and National Guard members could now take part in highly sensitive nuclear-related missions, reversing a policy in place since the end of the Cold War. The decision highlights the military’s need to rely more heavily in the future on part-time soldiers and the National Guard, which is under state control until mobilized.
“A MAJOR STRUCTURAL barrier to full integration of the force has been shattered with this determination,” said Charles Cragin, principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for reserve affairs.
“In today’s environment of recruiting and retention challenges, the new policy will give senior leaders another option,” he added.
Cragin did not indicate how many reservists and National Guard members would be used and said this would be up to the commanders in charge to determine how many were needed for these “highly sensitive” areas.
Reservists were previously excluded from having access to nuclear weapons because the presumed level of service — one weekend a month and a two-week active duty period each year — was not seen as sufficient for security reasons.
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-Administrator / Owner
"Everything was true. God was an astronaut. Oz really is over the
rainbow. ...and Midian is where the monsters live." -Nightbreed
“A MAJOR STRUCTURAL barrier to full integration of the force has been shattered with this determination,” said Charles Cragin, principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for reserve affairs.
“In today’s environment of recruiting and retention challenges, the new policy will give senior leaders another option,” he added.
Cragin did not indicate how many reservists and National Guard members would be used and said this would be up to the commanders in charge to determine how many were needed for these “highly sensitive” areas.
Reservists were previously excluded from having access to nuclear weapons because the presumed level of service — one weekend a month and a two-week active duty period each year — was not seen as sufficient for security reasons.
Want to learn more? http://www.msnbc.com/news/514840.asp
------------------
-Administrator / Owner
"Everything was true. God was an astronaut. Oz really is over the
rainbow. ...and Midian is where the monsters live." -Nightbreed