Department of Defense
DIRECTIVE
NUMBER 1200.17
October 29, 2008
USD(P&R)
SUBJECT: Managing the Reserve Components as an Operational Force
References: (a) Title 10, United States Code
(b) Title 32, United States Code
(c) Joint Publication 1-02, “Department of Defense Dictionary of Military and
Associated Terms,” as amended
1. PURPOSE. This Directive establishes the overarching set of principles and policies to
promote and support the management of the Reserve Components (RCs) as an operational force.
2. APPLICABILITY. This Directive applies to OSD, the Military Departments, the Office of
the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Joint Staff, the Combatant Commands, the
Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Defense, the Defense Agencies, the DoD
Field Activities, and all other organizational entities in the Department of Defense.
3. DEFINITIONS. See Glossary.
4. POLICY. It is DoD policy that:
a. The RCs provide operational capabilities and strategic depth to meet U.S. defense
requirements across the full spectrum of conflict including under sections 12301, 12302, 12304,
and 12306 of Reference (a).
b. The Active Components (ACs) and RCs are integrated as a total force based on the
attributes of the particular component and individual competencies.
c. Homeland Defense and Defense Support to Civil Authorities (DSCA) are total force
missions. Unity of effort is maintained consistent with statutory responsibilities in operations
involving Federal forces and non-federalized National Guard forces with Federal forces under
Federal command and control and non-federalized National Guard forces under State command
and control.
