An open-ended NATO contribution

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The Reserves are populated with the kind of people who suit the jobs before them. As a young Reservist, we were almost exclusively high school, college and university students in the ranks, and our officers were mostly high school teachers. That fit the one evening a week and one weekend a month work. When I finished school, there weren't enough full time jobs in my home town to keep me there. Although there were random callouts and jobs, these were too unpredictable to plan a life.

Jump ahead to the 90s and beyond. We saw companies of reservists deploy to Bosnia and high percentages of augmentees to fill out Reg F formations in Afg. These guys were good enough for the recruiters (me included) to be quick-picked for Reg F battalion quotas right out of the armouries. How many Reserve regiments had 20% of their effective strength overseas and earned theatre honours for their colours?

If the Reserves want to be taken seriously, give them a serious job. Until then, it will be hard to keep good troops in uniform.