The mission of Naval Reserve Science and Technology Program, also known as Naval Reserve Program 38, is to leverage unique Naval Reserve capabilities to help the Office of Naval Research (ONR) and the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) provide science and technology solutions to the warfighter.

Program 38 provides three unique capabilities:

	·	Many reservists within Program 38 combine an exceptional degree of operational and technical expertise in a single individual.
	·	Program 38 is able to provide surge capacity when a significant number of individuals with technical and/or operational skills are needed for a limited period.
	·	Members of Program 38 reside throughout the country, providing the potential for out-reach activities in areas where it would otherwise be impractical or uneconomical to provide other members of the Naval Research community.

The first of these capabilities distinguishes Program 38 from every other Naval Reserve program. ONR/NRL requirements that exploit unique combinations of technical and operational expertise therefore receive the highest priority for support by members of Program 38.