The Reserve Forces Policy Board (RFPB) has played a crucial role in shaping the Department of Defense's latest guidance on Total Force Optimization for Strategic Competition. The board's recommendation, made in fiscal year 2023, urged the Secretary of Defense to issue an updated Total Force Policy (TFP) to better integrate active and reserve components in alignment with the National Defense Strategy.

Secretary Austin responded to this call by issuing a memorandum earlier this month. The RFPB had pointed out the necessity of revising the 16-year-old TFP, originally issued by Secretary Gates in 2007, to address contemporary strategic challenges such as Great Power Competition and new warfare domains. Their recommendations included directives for modernization and interoperability across military components, a review and rewrite of policies related to readiness and resources, and implementing Life Cycle Personnel Costs across the Total Force.

"This is a significant win for Total Force readiness in support of DoD missions," stated Hon. Lisa S. Disbrow, Chair of the RFPB. The issuance of Secretary Austin's memorandum is the result of extensive research conducted over three years by the RFPB's Subcommittee for Total Force Integration, led by Maj. Gen. John B. Hashem at that time. Additionally, it involved more than ten months of effort from the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Integration's Total Force Optimization Working Group and collaboration among all major Department of Defense components.

The RFPB will continue its support as efforts move forward under the leadership of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness. This office serves as the primary advisor on Total Force management and will work alongside other Principal Staff Assistants, Military Department Secretaries, and other DoD Component heads as needed.

Established by law as a federal advisory committee, the RFPB provides independent advice to the Secretary of Defense on strategies designed to enhance reserve component capabilities, efficiency, and effectiveness.