Q. What are some examples of the type of work and training exercises that can be performed by Reserve and National Guard units?
A.
- Heavy equipment training for road resurfacing
- Design, construction and/or repair of trails, gatehouses, campsites, fish habitat, ADA fishing docks, radio towers, bridges, drainage ditches, splash pads, playgrounds, sewer systems, pole barns, roads, parking lots, pipes, picnic shelters, stairs, sun shelters
- Disaster response
- Search and rescue training
- Boundary and monument surveys
- Aerial inspections
- Dive team underwater inspections, video, photography, assessments
- Demolition of radio tower, buildings, rocks in quarry
- Flood debris removal
- Prescribed fire and firefighting
- Plumbing and electrical work
- Earth moving/hauling for environmental restoration and erosion protection
- Replacement of whalers and cleats on boat dock and house
- Damaged gage sensor reconnaissance
Q. What is the difference between someone who is active-duty military and someone who is in the Reserve or National Guard?
A. A person who is active duty is in the military full time. They work for the military full time, may live on a military base, and can be deployed at any time. Persons in the Reserve or National Guard are not full-time active-duty military personnel, although they can be deployed at any time should the need arise.
The Reserve
Each branch of the military has a Reserve component, and the Reserve are under the command of their respective military branch (e.g., Army Reserve are under the command of the Army). The purpose of the Reserve is to provide and maintain trained units and qualified persons to be available for active duty in the armed forces when needed. This may be in times of war, in a national emergency, or as the need occurs based on threats to national security. Their presence can be called upon to serve either stateside or overseas. The primary job of the Reserve is to fill the gaps in stateside service positions when the active-duty forces ship overseas. Members of the Reserve are required to participate in training drills one weekend a month and two weeks per year.
National Guard
The National Guard consists of the Army National Guard and the Air Force's Air National Guard. While federally funded, the National Guard is organized and controlled by state. However, in times of war, the National Guard can become federalized and deployed. The National Guard engages in several activities. During local emergencies, National Guard units assist communities endangered by storms, floods, fires, and other disasters. National Guard companies deployed overseas may see combat, but are more often building schools and hospitals, training local peacekeepers, or teaching local farmers more efficient farming techniques and better ways to use of their land. As with the Reserve, the National Guard requires training drills one weekend a month and two weeks per year. National Guard members are given Veteran status if they have served for 30 consecutive days in a war zone.
Q. What type of agreement documentation is required to work with Federal Reserve Units?
A. Support provided by reserve components under this authority will be agreed upon and defined in an Armed Forces Reserve Component Training Agreement (AFRCTA).
Q. Is there a duration/limit on how long a AFRCTA can last?
A. There is no specific time limit on these agreements. However, it is recommended if the training activities will be regularly performed in an ongoing/annual basis, that the agreement be renewed annually, and the total value of service calculated accordingly.
Q. How is the value of the work calculated to determine the approval level required for the AFRCTA?
A. The Independent Sector’s hourly volunteer rate will be used to determine value of service.
Q. How is the value of equipment provided by the military units calculated?
A. Account for the value of equipment rental for the period used on an hourly rate.
Q. What type of agreement documentation is required to work with State Activated National Guard Units serving in a Title 32 capacity?
A. Contributions of services and materials from National Guard units/members acting in their Title 32 capacities as a component of state government may be accepted under 33 U.S.C. 2325 consistent with implementation of such authority under the USACE Contributions Program. See your district’s Contribution Plan for detailed guidance.
Q. Can a USACE employee accompany the reserve units in their vehicles/ vessels/ aircraft/ equipment? If so, who is responsible for liability if a USACE employee gets injured?
A. Yes, USACE employees may accompany reserve units in their equipment. Each party of the agreement is liable for the safety of their employees unless negligence of the operator is proven.
Q. How do I capture the annual data for troop training activities under this authority?
A. There will be a new agreement type added to the CWBI-OPS Partnerships and Volunteers module starting in FY 24. Hours served by troops will be captures per our volunteer service hourly rate. The value of any equipment they bring will be calculated at the hourly rental rate as materials and supplies contributed. For the USACE portion of the partnership, capture the USACE hours to administer the agreement and any oversight, and the value of any materials/supplies provided to the units to do their service on USACE lands and waters.
