Photo By Sgt. Wesley Landrum | Brig. Gen. Michael Schweiger, 1st Sustainment Command (Theater) deputy commanding...... read more read more
Subscribe
By Spc. Wesley Landrum
50th Public Affairs Detachment
KUWAIT - "It's in keeping with the tradition of the U.S. Army, the Army Reserve and the United States of America. We want people to understand that we support and defend the Constitution and that we represent America wherever we are," said Maj. Eric Givens, Army Reserve Headquarters Command. "I've been in the Army for over 22 years, both as an officer and in the enlisted ranks, and I've enjoyed every bit of it."
On April 23, 1908, the Army Reserve was created by the U.S. Congress. It was started as Medical Reserve Corps – formed to give the Army medical functions. Since that April day, the Army Reserve has expanded beyond its original mission to become a successful organization that balances civilian skills, patriotism, and supports the United States in military actions and its missions.
"Since 1908, the Army Reserve has served with excellence and honor in every major military and humanitarian engagement our nation has taken part in including World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the Cold War, Panama, the Persian Gulf, Somalia, Haiti, Bosnia, Kosovo, the Iraq War and the Global War on Terrorism," said Lt. Gen. Jack C. Stultz, Chief, Army Reserve, Commander, U.S. Army Reserve Command. "As the missions have become more challenging and the skills needed to support each campaign have become more specialized, the Army Reserve has and will continue to transform in order to better support the Army and our nation."
Stultz said, in a speech commemorating the birthday, that the Reserve has become a vital part of the Army providing jobs rich in specialized skill services to the Army.
While the Army Reserve may have started 100 years ago as a medical force, it has branched into many different jobs and skills to include transportation personnel, engineers, law enforcement, city planners, teachers and lawyers.
"Currently, we provide 100 percent of the Army's chemical brigades, internment brigades, judge advocate general units, medical groups, railway units, training and exercise divisions and water supply battalions," Stultz said. "In addition, the Army Reserve makes up nearly two-thirds of the Army's civil affairs units, psychological operations units, transportation groups, motor battalions, theater signal commands and hospitals."
Since the events of Sept. 11, 2001, nearly 193,000 Army Reserve Soldiers have mobilized and deployed to support GWOT and homeland security. Almost 28,000 Reservists are mobilized today.
Givens said this is his first time celebrating the Army Reserve birthday while deployed. The Detroit native said celebrating occasions like organizational birthdays brings servicemembers together in camaraderie on many levels.
"One of the things I've seen is that we come together, we work hard, play hard and we celebrate when we have the chance to celebrate those things which are integral to the service we represent," he said.
Stultz said the Army Reserve, throughout history, has transformed to better meet the needs of the United States. Now, the Reserves is changing once again as it begins its second century in existence.
"One hundred years ago, the Army Reserve began as a small reserve force of medical specialists. Today's Army Reserve is a successful 21st century organization performing a wide variety of support functions for the Army," he said. "On behalf of the entire Army Reserve, thank you to the employers, families, communities and the American public for your support. We look forward to serving you in the next 100 years."
| Date Taken: | 04.29.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 04.29.2008 07:27 |
| Story ID: | 18864 |
| Location: | KW |
| Web Views: | 504 |
| Downloads: | 418 |
This work, Army Reserve turns 100, by SGT Wesley Landrum, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT