In addition to updating the Force on the three lines of effort (LOE) to Design, Train and Mobilize the Force with a relentless focus on warfighting readiness, NRFI 2022 announces a fourth LOE – Develop the Force. The Fighting Instructions is Mustin’s action plan driving the Navy Reserve to fully attain and maintain the warfighting credibility and relevance required for today and in the future.

“Since I published the Navy Reserve Fighting Instructions 2020, the forces that seek to reshape the international rules-based order have amplified and added coherency to their efforts,” Mustin said. “To counter these existential threats, and realize and defend our American values, we must accelerate pursuit and achievement of peerless warfighting readiness. To ensure that readiness we must transform the Navy Reserve to deliver a force that is designed, trained, and ready to fight and win – confidently and boldly – in sustained, multi-domain combat operations.”

Develop the Force Introduction

Announcing the new LOE, Mustin noted that “Our Sailors are our asymmetric advantage. It is contingent upon us to focus on inclusion and equity allowing our Navy Reserve to harness our entire diverse team of Sailors and civilians to maximize our warfighting capability and readiness. We promote a positive culture of dignity and respect by living our Navy’s core values of honor, courage, and commitment. We will enable and empower our Sailors, embrace ownership and ingenuity, and reinforce the simple, unifying concept that Sailors and commands will take care of themselves and their people, all the while removing barriers constraining our warfighting advantage.”

The LOE was initiated to deliver against that vision and to align the Force with the Chief of Naval Operations’ “Get Real, Get Better” initiative. Specific actions are already underway.

Mustin also noted achievements under the LOE’s outlined in NRFI 2020.

Design the Force Accomplishments

Major achievements under this LOE followed the designation of the Chief of Navy Reserve as a Resource Sponsor in August 2020, empowered to establish and modify its contribution to the Total Force, gaining parity on reserve issues in the Navy budget. Branches centralizing accession program management, direct assignments and mobilization billet fit and fill support, and Major Command Boards to select the best and most fully qualified captains for command are also now in place. Administrative burdens were reduced such as thoughtfully eliminating the number of Navy Reserve Readiness Units by 28%; mobilization readiness and billet fit-fill improved by reducing Cross-Assigned Out and In-Assignment Processing assignments; and nomenclature changes were implemented standardizing and aligning naming conventions across the Force. The team also developed and piloted a Total Force manpower management process to measure, analyze, and improve billet requirement definition.

Train the Force Accomplishments

Chief among the Train the Force LOE actions over the last 18 months was new mobilization and personnel pillar metrics measuring warfighting readiness and identifying certification and qualification data sources feeding the training pillar. A new Reserve Program Director (RPD) instruction defines roles and responsibilities of RPDs, and a review of all Navy Reserve-owned training courses and creation of new courses increased warfighting readiness.

Mobilize the Force Accomplishments

The Mobilize the Force efforts established activation/mobilization processing capacity in all six Regional Readiness and Mobilization Commands, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command, Naval Air Reserve Force and Naval Special Warfare Command. Training for activation/mobilization was standardized and command and control of the mobilization authority was centralized under the Navy Reserve. The new mass activation processes were tested during major exercises during fiscal years 2021 and 2022. An Annual Readiness Questionnaire was also developed to track and improve mobilization readiness

NRFI 2022 Way Forward

Continued efforts to identify and deliver Navy warfighting capabilities best suited for the Reserve Component, delivered at reduced costs and within acceptable risk for warfighting readiness remains the focus of the Design the Force LOE, now led by Rear Adm. Theodore LeClair.

Train the Force ongoing efforts will focus on preparing Navy Reserve Sailors for their mobilization/warfighting assignments, ensuring all Reserve Sailors are trained, ready to active and fight and win on “Day One.” Continually assessing Fleet training and credentialing requirements, and designing and delivering training to address readiness demand will also be part of Rear Adm. Robert Clark’s responsibilities as he takes leadership of this LOE.

New Mobilize the Force Flag Champion Rear Adm. John Schommer will further enhance and employ rapid activation and mobilization processes such as Distributed Activation and Mobilization-to-Billet to ensure delivery of a Reserve force ready to respond to crisis or conflict. Continual monitoring and streamlining all accompanying activation and transaction process will ensure the successful, rapid mobilization and employment of Reserve Sailors.

Develop the Force under Rear Adm. Nancy Lecore’s leadership will inculcate a culture of excellence throughout the Force to maximize warfighting readiness. The new LOE also reinforces Navy core values and signature behaviors, aims to eliminate destructive behaviors, and emphasize Sailor and family wellness and readiness. Improving methods of educating, recruiting, retaining, and promoting our Sailors, and ensuring Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) are fully integrated throughout all personnel processes will also be part of her charge.

Specific actions to achieve the purpose of each LOE are included in the NRFI 2022 ALNAVRESFOR, which can be read in its entirety at https://navyreserve.navy.afpims.mil/Portals/35/2022%20ALNAVRESFOR%20018%20NAVY%20RESERVE%20FIGHTING%20INSTRUCTIONS.pdf?ver=9v1WHtrZhX76rqEehVuzgA%3d%3d.

“In this era of strategic competition, we must be ready,” Mustin said in his concluding remarks. “The Navy Reserve’s role as a critical enabler and a source of strategic depth is our organizational mandate. Our Navy and our joint forces are counting on each of you to contribute to assuring our allies and partners, deterring our competitors, and decisively competing and winning across the spectrum of conflict, in all domains, when called upon. Warfighting readiness is our only priority.”