Ill STAT. 1682 PUBLIC LAW 105-85—NOV. 18, 1997 SEC. 330. ASSESSMENT OF CYCLICAL READINESS POSTURE OF THE ARMED FORCES. (a) REQUIREMENT.— (1) Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to Congress a report on the readiness posture of the Armed Forces described in subsection (b). (2) The Secretary shall prepare the report required under paragraph (1) with the assistance of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. In providing such assistance, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff shall consult with the Chief of the National Guard Bureau. (b) READINESS POSTURE.— (1) The readiness posture to be covered by the report under subsection (a) is a readiness posture for units of the Armed Forces, or for designated units of the Armed Forces, that provides for a rotation of such units between a state of high readiness and a state of low readiness. (2) As part of the evaluation of the readiness posture described in paragraph (1), the report shall address in particular a readiness posture that— (A) establishes within the Armed Forces two equivalent forces each structured so as to be capable of fighting and winning a major theater war; and (B) provides for an alternating rotation of such forces between a state of high readiness and a state of low readiness. (3) The evaluation of the readiness posture described in paragraph (2) shall be based upon assumptions permitting comparison with the existing force structure as follows: (A) That there are assembled from among the units of the Armed Forces two equivalent forces each structured so as to be capable of fighting and winning a major theater war. (B) That each force referred to in subparagraph (A) includes— (i) four active Army divisions, including one mechanized division, one armored division, one light infantry division, and one division combining airborne units and air assault units, and appropriate support and service support units for such divisions; (ii) six divisions (or division equivalents) of the Army National Guard or the Army Reserve that are essentially equivalent in structure, and appropriate support and service support units for such divisions; (iii) six aircraft carrier battle groups; (iv) six active Air Force fighter wings (or fighter wing equivalents); (v) four Air Force reserve fighter wings (or fighter wing equivalents); and (vi) one active Marine Corps expeditionary force. (C) That each force may be supplemented by critical units or luiits in short supply, including heavy bomber units, strategic lift units, and aerial reconnaissance units, that are not subject to the readiness rotation otherwise assumed for purposes of the evaluation or are subject to the rotation on a modified basis. (D) That units of the Armed Forces not assigned to a force are available for operations other than those essential to fight and win a major theater war, including peace operations.
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