Total Force Legacy The Total Force Policy -- a direct result of lessons learned from the Southeast Asia War -- significantly changed the role of the Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard after the war. In the 1960s Reserve and Guard units generally flew older aircraft and most did not have the ability to rapidly deploy. The Total Force Policy provided greater support, modern aircraft, and the same readiness standards as active duty USAF units. These significant changes ensured the Reserve and Guard's critical role in any future national crisis. Click here to return to the AFRES/ANG Overview.