National Emergency Authority To Order the Selected Reserve to Active Duty

Apr 1, 2020

Summary

Gives power to call up to 1 million reserve military members to active duty to help with the COVID-19 pandemic.

What problem does this solve?

The COVID-19 virus outbreak threatens the nation's healthcare systems, creating a national emergency. This order allows leaders to call up military reserve members to help respond to the health crisis.

What does this order do?

Authorizes activation of reserve forces

Gives the Secretaries of Defense and Homeland Security the power to order Ready Reserve members to active duty.

Sets a limit of one million members

Caps the number of reserve members who can be on active duty at any one time at 1,000,000.

Establishes service duration

Allows for members to be ordered to active duty for a period of up to 24 straight months.

Requires consultation with states

Ensures that federal leaders talk with state officials about using National Guard units.

Who does this affect?

Military reserve members
National Guard members
State governments

What is the real world impact?

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Strengthens national pandemic response

Provides more people to help with the COVID-19 health crisis by allowing the military to use its reserve forces for support.

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Centralizes military activation authority

Gives the Secretaries of Defense and Homeland Security direct power to activate up to one million reservists, potentially disrupting their civilian lives and jobs for up to two years.

When does this start?

This order takes effect immediately as of March 27, 2020, to address the COVID-19 emergency.