Reserve Forces Act (1955)
Reserve Forces Act (1955).President Dwight D. Eisenhower's “New Look” defense strategy emphasized nuclear‐armed air power, stronger reserve forces, and a greater reliance on conventionally‐armed allies. To correct the weaknesses of all of the reserve components of the U.S. armed services, his administration convinced the Congress to pass the Reserve Forces Act of 1955. It amended the Armed Forces Reserve Act of 1952 and the Universal Military Training and Service Act of 1951. The 1955 legislation increased the size of the Ready Reserve from 1.5 million to 2.9 million personnel and authorized the president to mobilize up to 1 million ready reservists in a declared national emergency without congressional action. For those who agreed to spend two years on active duty and four years in a reserve component, the total military commitment was reduced from eight to six years. The...
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