0 - The Black Vault

THE BDM CORPORATION
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access to the West.
As the situation grew worse, President Kennedy decided
in September 1961, to increase US forces in Europe and to call up some
Reserve personnel and units to strengthen CONUS strategic forces. By
October ;961,
almost 120,000 Reserve troops, including two National Guard
divisions, had been ddded to the active Army, and the Regular troop
strergth had been increased by more than 80,000 men.9/
As the Soviet Union became aware that the Berlin challenge
would be met swiftly and firmly, it began to ease the pressure there again.
The Kennedy administration had passed through its first crisis situation
with the Soviet Union. By mid-1962, the Reserve and National Guar forces
that had been called up were returned to civilian life, but the increases
in the Regular forces were retained.l0/
b. Impact of the Berlin Crisis Call-Ups
The partial American mobilization and rapid reinforcement of
Europe by US grot'nd, air and naval forces were accompanied by strong
efforts to bring the military personnel and equipment remaining in the
CONUS to a high state of readiness. In many instances, however, designated
posts and camps did not have adequate facilities or cadre necessary to
house, train and equip the rapid and large influx of Reserve personnel, In
addition, there was a strong undercurrent of discontent which surfaced
among Vie personnel called up because they were used to beef up the active
strategic reserve in CONUS and few, if any, were sent to Europe.
Many Reservists questioned the mobilization because they did
not regard the Berlin problem to be a serious threat to the security of the
United StatesAl/ Resentment among Reservists was high because they did
not feel they were making a contribution to the Berlin crisis by being
mobilized and remaining in the United Statec and because of the dis"uption
of their families and careers.12/ Many reservists ani members of their
families complained to their representatives in Congress, which resulted in
congressional criticisri, of the mobilization action. 13/
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