To ensure it has easily accessible and more readily deployable reserve forces, the Pentagon wants them “operationalized,” per the Quadrennial Defense Review. That term and a QDR-noted increase in mobilization authority from 270 days to 365 days have raised eyebrows among some lawmakers. Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.), ranking minority member on the Senate Armed Services personnel subcommittee, asked Pentagon officials what assurance Congress would have that such an extension would not be used to “circumvent the 24-month cumulative month limit?” Pentagon Reserve Affairs chief Thomas Hall said that the expansion would not affect the 24-month time and called upon National Guard Bureau chief, Lt. Gen. Steven Blum, to explain why reserve leaders believe the expansion would provide “more flexibility.” Blum said he supports the increase to 365 days to “provide a slightly wider window” to reduce the risk commanders face because they’re “racing against a calendar.” However, Blum cautioned against abusing what he sees as a “magnificent tool.”
Air Force Gen. Jacqueline D. Van Ovost—a trailblazer and one of the first 10 women to reach a four-star rank across the U.S. military—retired and passed control of U.S. Transportation Command to Air Force Gen. Randall Reed on Oct. 4, finishing an eventful tenure at TRANSCOM.