The 2009 RCSS continues a line of research on Reserve spouses that began with the 1986 Reserve Components Survey of Guard/Reserve Spouses. In 1992, 2000, 2006, and 2008 DMDC conducted subsequent surveys of Reserve spouses. Many key topics covered by the 2009 RCSS were also included in its predecessors; however, questions have been updated, expanded, or streamlined in the 2009 RCSS. The survey was administered by both Web and paper-and-pen questionnaires.
Topic areas in this survey include: spouse deployment, effect of deployments on children, activation/deployment expectations, feelings about the National Guard and Reserve, well-being, medical/dental coverage, and internet communications.