Reservist training varies by country and military branch, with some offering automatic participation for those leaving active duty and others allowing citizens to enlist directly. Reservist training systems originated in Europe, where nations developed large groups of trained reservists who could be recalled in times of war. The US military offers one weekend of training per month and two weeks per year to ensure readiness. Reservist training can provide technical skills, with some functions left to reserves for use when needed.
Reservist training is typically offered in two different ways, although the specifics vary from country to country and between branches of the military. Most nations maintain small armies, made up of volunteers or conscripts, and support these military organizations with back-up systems and local defense units that can be called upon in times of crisis. In some cases, participation in the reserves is automatic for military personnel leaving active duty. In other cases, citizens can enlist directly on reserves. Many nations, including the United States, combine these two reservist training systems.
Modern military practice, which usually has a standing and reserve army, is a legacy of the rapid growth of national armed forces in Europe in the century after the end of the Napoleonic wars. Nations engaged in arms races to maintain ever-growing armies, but they could not afford to fully mobilize their populations all the time. This led to the emergence of ever-larger groups of trained reservists who had served actively and could be recalled in the event of war. Modern reservist training systems are the descendants of these early European systems.
The US military is a fairly typical example of a modern Western military system. Active troops withdraw after the enlistment period ends. These troops are then subject to recall if there is a military need. To ensure that reserve elements of the armed forces are ready if needed, these troops undergo reserve training, usually for one weekend a month and two weeks a year.
Military personnel enlisting directly for reserve duty typically still spend some time at the beginning of their enlistment undergoing initial reserve training. The conscript armies of many modern European nations often employ this model of reservist training, as conscripts only serve actively for a short period of time, long enough to acquire the necessary skills and a small amount of experience. Large European nations began to phase out military service after 2000, but smaller nations such as Norway and Switzerland still employ it.
Reservist training can provide very technical skills. The US Army is, again, a good example of this system. Some of the more technical functions of the military, including chemical warfare and logistics, are needed only when the military is fully mobilized. These functions are left largely in the hands of the reserves, as they may be required when needed, but demobilized otherwise.
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