Reserve Forces Policy Board

The Reserve Forces Policy Board (RFPB) is a federal advisory committee established by statute within the Office of the Secretary of Defense.

In September 1949, in response to inadequate recruitment and strength in the reserve program of the armed services, Secretary of Defense Louis A. Johnson established a Civilian Components Policy Board.

Under the leadership of William T. Faricy, president of the Association of American Railroads, the board ranked directly under the secretary, was on a level with the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and was empowered to give instructions to the reserves of all of the services.

[8] On September 12, 2011, retired Marine Corps Major General Arnold Punaro was sworn in as the first chairman of the board under the revised structure.

[10] In October 2011, Chairman Arnold L. Punaro stated that, under its new authority, the board will be much more independent, and objective, and will bring the talent of outside experts to provide timely advice and recommendations directly to the secretary of defense.