Epilogue: Theoretical and comparative notes on reserve forces

This concluding epilogue places the individual studies presented in the special volume in wider perspective. The importance of studying reserve forces centers on (1) their centrality in missions carried out by the militaries of the contemporary industrial democracies and (2) their unique cultural and organizational characteristics. Concretely, reserve components are a foundation for the legitimacy of the military, yet are often a source for criticism of missions; they provide a ready pool of manpower but one that is sometimes expensive; their skills are sometimes needed but their military abilities do not always meet the perceived standards of standing forces' professionals. Research into this military group that is situated between the military and civil society clarifies not only the interlinkages between these spheres but also their dynamic and contextual nature.