Cost-benefit analysis of training a Naval Reserve Seabee

Abstract

The defense of the United States is based on the Total Force concept - including a combination of active duty and reserve forces in being which provide for the security structure essential during national crisis. However, the Naval Reserve forces have been continually attacked and reduced in size over the past ten years. Is this continual reduction totally justified? An analysis of the costs to maintain a Reserve Seabee relative to an active duty counterpart suggests that it costs seven more times to pay, train and support the latter. While trained to meet specialization and conditional requirements, the Reserve Seabee benefits both civic and other military organizations with contributed labor, completing many construction projects during the year. The positive benefits at lower cost make the Reserve Seabee an asset to our country's Total Force.