Page:Military organization of the United States (IA militaryorganiza00comm).pdf/10

10 one effective and homogenous force. The first echelon, the Regular Army, from the beginning opposes an invasion and thus gains time for the second echelon, the National Guard, to complete its mobilization and preparation and come to the assistance of the Regular Army. These two echelons, together, undertake to gain further delay in order to permit the third echelon, the Organized Reserves, to be mobilized, assembled, and trained. This plan precludes any adverse decision at the beginning of a war and permits, without interruption, the development of such additional military forces as the particular emergency may require.

4. —a. The Regular Army constitutes the permanent military force. Its peace time strength, which is prescribed by Congress, is such as is deemed necessary to enable it to fulfill its special functions in peace and war. These functions in general are to provide.

(1) Garrisons for the continental frontiers of the United States.

(2) A covering force in case of a major war.

(3) A small but highly trained and completely equipped expeditionary force.

(4) Overseas garrisons.

(5) Garrisons for the permanent seacoast defenses.

(6) A national police force.

(7) Personnel for the development and training of the Regular Army and the National Guard.

(8) Training cadres and other enlisted and commissioned personnel for the development and training of the Organized Reserves.

(9) An organization for the administration and supply of the peace time establishment.

b. The organization is based on a war establishment within the continental limits of the United States compising nine divisions, two cavalry divisions, and corps, army, General Headquarters Reserve, harbor defense, communications zone, and zone of interior units. In time of peace, these organizations are maintained part on an active status and part on an inactive status, depending on the strength authorized by annual appropriations.

c. The active units consist of several divisions, reinforced brigades, and other troops, all maintained at a re-