Many of these Reservists will relieve the current active duty personnel (in country) from the numerous "emergency" assignments that they are presently performing, due to Tuesday's attack. This will free them up (active duty) for overseas assignments or other more traditional active duty roles.
I understand and agree with your point wholeheartedly about the gutting of our armed forces. Many responsibilities that have traditionally rested on active duty forces's shoulders, have shifted onto the Reserve component's shoulders. It's a little bit like the way the gubmint juggles the fiscal "books". Rob Peter to pay Paul.
There is another good alternative which is the state milita. Most of them take persons up to age 65 and some I think to 70. They fill in for the activated reserves.