Created by an act of Congress in 1952, the Reserve Forces Policy Board, acting through the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs, is the principal policy adviser to the Secretary of Defense on matters relating to the reserve components. The Board acts independently to monitor, review and evaluate proposals, actions and situations impacting the National Guard and Reserve forces and reports annually to the President and Congress.
The 24-member Board has a civilian chairman and includes the assistant secretaries for manpower and reserve affairs from the three military departments as well as regular and reserve component general/flag officers from each of the services including the Coast Guard. Board members represent a wide range of industry, business, professional, and civic experience, in addition to their military expertise, which combined provide the Secretary of Defense with a unique and independent body of senior officials to review and comment on Reserve component programs and policies.
