Increased use of the reserve component, particularly since September 11, 2001, has renewed interest in the question of whether the number of reserve component general and flag officers (RC G/FOs) is appropriate. Interest in this question prompted Congress to ask the Secretary of Defense, through the Fiscal Year 2014 National Defense Authorization Act, to conduct a review of “general and flag officer requirements for members of the reserve component in an active status . . . to ensure that the authorized strengths . . . are based on an objective requirements process,” are sufficient, and reflect any efficiencies that can be gained by eliminating or downgrading unneeded positions. The Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs asked the RAND Corporation to assist with this assessment by answering the following research questions. • Does the current system of authorized strength applicable to RC G/FOs, including exemptions, provide for a sufficient quantity of senior officers? Should alternatives to the current system be considered? • Are the military departments appropriately managing and accounting for RC G/FO requirements, authorizations, authorized strength, and inventory? • Are there candidate positions that could be considered for elimination, downgrading to a lower rank, or conversion to senior civilian positions? • To what extent should the need to provide developmental experiences for RC G/FOs drive requirements?