Ordering the Selected Reserve of the Armed Forces to Active Duty

This executive order authorizes the Secretary of Defense to activate up to 200 Selected Reservists at any one time for up to 365 consecutive days to support the 'Enhanced Department of Defense Counternarcotic Operation in the Western Hemisphere.' It invokes 10 U.S.C. § 12304 to augment regular Armed Forces for a named counternarcotics mission.

Federal Register Open PDF 85 FR 26591

Impact dates

Apr 30, 2021
Maximum duration of any single reservist activation

Key directives

Secretary of Defense directed to order Selected Reserve units and individual members to active duty
Maximum 200 Selected Reservists activated at any one time
Maximum 365 consecutive days per activation
Purpose: augment regular Armed Forces for Enhanced Department of Defense Counternarcotic Operation in the Western Hemisphere

Who is ordered

Secretary of Defense · Department of Defense

Timeline

Immediate

Activation authority takes effect upon signing

Near term (90d)

Potential activation of reservist units and individuals as determined necessary by Secretary of Defense

Long term

Reservist activations may continue for up to 365 consecutive days per activation

Risks & tensions

Small scale (200 personnel cap) limits operational impact relative to broader counternarcotics challenges
Unclear whether this represents expansion of military role in drug interdiction or continuation of existing posture
Subject to appropriations availability may constrain implementation