Abstract/Summary

The UK’s Army Reserve has undergone significant investment and transformation over the last decade under Future Reserves 2020; it now represents around 30% of the UK’s land forces. However, Reservists have legally enshrined options to defer or avoid mobilisation for permanent service. This could undermine the Army’s ability to deliver soldiers for operations. This potential is examined through an analysis of an under-researched cornerstone of British military doctrine, the Moral Component of Fighting Power, analogous to the academically contested concept of ‘morale’. Having operationalised the Moral Component, this thesis examines Army Reserve policy and strategy, as well as two autoethnographic case studies that illustrate precedent, to understand the demand on the organisation and the ideal-typical reservist. It then presents qualitative evidence from Focus Groups to argue that the Army Reserve has a Moral Component of Fighting Power characterised by Fighting Spirit, Pride and a Spiritual Foundation. Despite a drive toward professionalisation, the bonds between Reserve soldiers remain primarily social. The evidence suggests that the Moral Component is moderately well aligned with the needs of the organisation regarding the relationship between soldier and Army, but it may struggle where relationships with families and employers impinge upon military Service. Thematically, the Moral Component presents as more intrinsically than extrinsically influenced and might be diminished where the Army is perceived to undervalue reservists’ contribution, especially through administrative failings and short notice demands. In summary, this study finds that the Army Reserve has met the demands placed on it, in part by ensuring its operational aspirations do not exceed the availability of its soldiers. In presenting these findings, this thesis expands upon the existing literature on the Army Reserve and the Moral Component of Fighting Power and examines the prospects for the organisation in a new epoch of policy and strategy: Reserve Force 2030.