Ready Reaction Force A Ready Reaction Force or ( RRF ) Combat Theater Base Ready Reaction Force . The Ready Reaction Force ( RRF ) is the first response to the military ' s Quick Reaction Force , generally Platoon - sized unit in the US Army , designed and capable of rapid response to situations that develop in a very short time frame . The time frame for an Ready Reaction Force RRF is minutes , typically within ten minutes or less , working from a base in a forward combat zone that is generally preformed by Infantry , Military Police or Cavalry units based on said unit ' s Standard Operating Procedures ( SOPs ) . These such RRF s are designed to intervene quickly as a spearhead to gain and hold ground in quickly unfolding combat or low - intensity conflicts , such as civil unrest that necessitate the defense of strategic and tactical locations of interest , an attack on a military outpost or operating base or two insurgent activity within their area of operation ( AO ) . The RRF is a modern military reserve , and belongs directly to the commander of the unit it is created from . Depending on the unit size and protocols , the commander may be the only person authorized to control the RRF force , or he may delegate this responsibility to one or more additional people . RRF forces are commonly found in Maneuver Battalion - level Task Forces and above , in addition to many Operating Bases having their own dedicated RRF to react to threats on or immediately around the base . The readiness level of the RRF is based on unit SOPs . Since maintaining a split - second level of readiness is draining on equipment , fuel and personnel , the RRF is postured based on the likelihood of being called up . During high - intensity conflict , the RRF may be forced to maintain that split - second level of readiness , and have all members in their vehicles with the motors running . However , during low - intensity conflict , where deployment is less likely and may be more readily predicted , the command establishes how fast the RRF must be able to react , which can range from trucks and personnel in a central location with the troops rotating out of the trucks to the vehicles simply staged close to a unit area , with all personnel staying close enough for rapid recall . The speed at which a RRF is expected to react is defined by its Readiness Condition , or REDCON , level . The mission of a RRF can vary widely , as they are used to respond to any threat the commander chooses to employ them for . A US Army RRF consists of a variable number of trucks , generally a mix of M1151 Up - Armored HMMWVs and , since their introduction , MRAPs . Depending on the mission requirement , additional units can be attached to an organic platoon to expand their capabilities . Examples include attaching Explosive Ordnance Disposal ( EOD ) , teams to a RRF responding to bombs or similar threats and vehicle recovery assets to a RRF expected to recover damaged trucks . Large Scale Ready Reaction Force . Large scale Ready Reaction ForceRRF in peace time such as with the use of US Army Paratroops ( 82nd Airborne Division and the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team ) , US Army Airborne Ranger s of the 75th Ranger Regiment , United States Marine Corps / USMC s Force Reconnaissance units , US Navy SEAL s and US Army Special Forces and US Air Force ' s Special Tactics Squadrons , the time frame is sometimes hours to days depending on the geographical location and scale of operation . Because they are usually transported by air , such military units are usually lightly armed , but extremely well trained to compensate for their lower caliber , small arms weaponry and lack of heavy equipment like tank s and other armored vehicles that will soon follow by the larger “ heavy ” units that are to sustain and hold the ground that the RRF has captured and / or controlled from the spearheaded efforts .