United States Navy Reserve
The United States Navy Reserve (USNR) is the reserve component of the United States Navy. It provides trained units and qualified individuals available for active duty in times of war, national emergency, or other operational needs.
History
The Navy Reserve was founded in 1915 and first mobilized for World War I. During World War II, reservists comprised nearly 80 percent of the Navy’s manpower. Since then, the Navy Reserve has supported Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf War, and modern operations in the Middle East.
Mission
The Navy Reserve augments active-duty forces in all naval missions, including:
- Maritime security and patrol.
- Aviation and naval air support.
- Intelligence and cyber operations.
- Logistics and engineering.
Organization
The Navy Reserve is divided into:
Selected Reserve (SELRES) – drilling reservists who regularly train.
Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) – reservists who can be recalled.
Full-Time Support (FTS) – reservists serving in active-duty roles.
Leadership
The Navy Reserve is commanded by the Chief of Navy Reserve, who reports to the Chief of Naval Operations.
Personnel
Reservists typically train part-time but can be mobilized for deployments worldwide. Many balance military service with civilian careers.