The Commission on the National Guard and Reserves was established by the Ronald Reagan National Defense Authorization Act of 2005. Congress chartered the 13-member body to conduct a comprehensive, independent assessment of the reserve components of the United States. The purpose of the assessment is expressed in the following mission statement: To identify and recommend changes in policy, law, regulation, and practice to ensure that the National Guard and Reserves are organized, trained, equipped, compensated, and supported to best meet the national security requirements of the United States.