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Journal of Military and Strategic Studies
Journal of Military and Strategic Studies
ABCA Reserve Armies: History and Future Roles
By Peter M. Archambault
Abstract
The history of reserve forces in the US, Canada, Britain and Australia should be easy. They share a predominantly 'British' heritage in terms of the development of military forces. It is difficult to find a discussion about the present or future of 'reserves' or 'reservists' or the 'militia' without being drawn into the past of what the 'reserves', 'reservists' or the 'militia' have been asked to do, tasked to do or, naturally, whether it was a proper or improper role for the 'volunteer' citizen soldier to have undertaken in the first place. History is central to the spirit of the citizen soldier (as it his with professionals), looking to fit his/her service to his/her country into the same seamless web of traditions and myths shared by others of the 'regiment' or local community who served previously, and will serve in the future. It is very important that we do not discount the importance of such links with the past that provide continuity when we look at a future that can sometimes seem so much a break with that past.