Total Force Integration

The United States Air Force Reserve Component (RC) has moved from a Cold War strategic reserve posture to an ongoing operational mission. This change in posture necessitates a critical examination of the current Air Reserve Component structure. This paper seeks to examine the relevance of the traditional strategic structure for the future of the Total Force. Specifically, the Total Force Integration (TFI) requires the USAF to apply the correct mix of missions and roles to the Reserve Component through the effective implementation and expansion of the associate program between the active duty component (AC) and the reserve component. This paper will review the historical aspects of TFI and the associate program. It will present the causal aspects leading to the need for TFI and the associate program, while revealing benefits and challenges that are presented by associations. Finally, it will recommend the proper mix of missions and recommendations for TFI and the associate program to succeed under the current operations tempo and into the future.