RESERVE, in military affairs, has several significations. In battle the reserve consists of those troops not in action, and destined to sup ply fresh forces as they are needed, to support those points which are shaken and to be ready to act at decisive moments. Napoleon's guards, and his disposition of them, are models. They often decided the victory when the enemy felt sure of success. The reserve of ammunition is the supply of warlike stores placed close to the scene of action to allow of the supply actually in the field being speedily replenished.
The term reserves is also applied to those forces which are liable to be called into the field on great emergencies, for the purposes of national defense; which have received a military training but follow the ordinary occupations of civil life and do not form part of the standing army. Such reserves now form a part of all national troops organised on a great scale. They are entitled to wear gU.S.R.*, on their uniforms.
In 1917 the United States army began to establish reserve officers' ' training camps, and by 1 Jan. 1918 had issued more than 60,000 officers' commissions from these camps. A third series of such reserve officers' camps was started January 1918. (See Ritsruvanoits,
MILITARY). The United States naval reserve force was authorized by Congress, 29 Aug. 1916. Only citizens are enlisted; the pay is $12 a month minimum. The fleet naval re serve is composed of retired naval officers and men who receive retainer pay of $50 per an num and upward, being liable to be called upon to serve at their former rank. The naval re serve is composed of ex-merchant marine men who are liable to be called to duty either in the regular or on auxiliary vessels. They receive a small retainer pay, varying with their previous earnings. There is also a naval auxiliary reserve, made up of officers and men who have been listed by the Navy Department as desirable for enlistment. The naval coast defense reserve is composed of owners and operators of yachts, motorboats, or men who are familiar with coasting, radio work, handling mines and torpedoes, etc. The naval reserve flying corps is operated on similar lines and is open to men who understand something of avia tion. There is also a medical reserve corps connected with the navy.