Reserve Component Automation Sys (RCAS)

RCAS managed by the Army, aims to provide a comprehensive automation system for the Reserve Component (United States Army Reserve and Army National Guard) commands. The specific goal of this program is to enhance the Army's and the States' ability to organize, train, equip, and mobilize their Citizen Soldiers for disaster response, homeland security, and overseas deployment. The program includes 15 web-based software applications that support the Army Reserve Component's requirements for Force Management, Mobilization, Personnel, and Safety. Additionally, RCAS facilitates secure connectivity for approximately 10,500 Army Reserve and Army National Guard units at roughly 4,000 sites in 50 states and other locations. The program also supports network hardware and software refresh to ARNG and USAR commands and units based on priorities established by the respective Components.

Furthermore, Program RCAS is designed to address the Government Accountability Office report on the Army Reserve Component's inability to provide timely and accurate mobilization data. It has been successfully utilized in response to various missions including 9/11, Homeland Security missions, National Training exercises, Disaster Relief, and Operations Iraqi Freedom, New Dawn, Enduring Freedom, and Freedom's Sentinel. The program is currently in sustainment mode which includes modifications/updates to RCAS software, infrastructure refresh of end-user devices and network hardware, and end-user training. The level of effort for Technical Refresh of each site (ARNG/USAR readiness centers) varies depending on the construct of the operation. Tech Refresh at the scheduled sites is planned in advance on a 5-year cycle but age and performance dictate the amount of Technical Refresh at the scheduled sites so it is not always a one-for-one replacement of hardware. The program will satisfy agency information technology mandates with respect to information assurance, net worthiness, server consolidation, and a common operating environment.