---
kind: "section"
citation: "10 U.S.C. § 10102"
title: "10"
title_heading: "Armed Forces"
number: "10102"
heading: "Purpose of reserve components"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/10/10102"
units:
  - "Subtitle E — Reserve Components"
  - "Part I — Organization and Administration"
  - "Chapter 1003 — Reserve Components Generally"
---

# §10102. Purpose of reserve components


The purpose of each [reserve](/usc/10/101.md?p=c-6) component is to provide trained units and qualified persons available for [active duty](/usc/10/101.md?p=d-1) in the [armed forces](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-4), in time of war or national emergency, and at such other times as the national security may require, to fill the needs of the [armed forces](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-4) whenever more units and persons are needed than are in the [regular](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-12) components.


## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, § 1661(a)(1), Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2970; amended Pub. L. 108–375, div. A, title V, § 511, Oct. 28, 2004, 118 Stat. 1877.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Prior Provisions

Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in section 262 of this title, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 103–337, § 1661(a)(2)(A).

### Amendments

2004—Pub. L. 108–375 struck out “, during and after the period needed to procure and train additional units and qualified persons to achieve the planned mobilization,” after “whenever”.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date

Section effective Dec. 1, 1994, except as otherwise provided, see section 1691 of Pub. L. 103–337, set out as a note under section 10001 of this title.