Army Reserve Soldiers serving under Third Army had the opportunity to voice their concerns during a town hall meeting hosted by Lt. Gen. Jack Stultz, chief of the Army Reserves, at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, Dec. 26.
Stultz covered issues regarding promotions, re-enlistments, military schooling opportunities, annual training, civilian job placement opportunities and the process of transforming the Army Reserves from a strategic to an operational force.
"The only way I can know what's going on is if I get out on the ground with the Soldiers. We have a lot of Soldiers who are proud of what they are doing," said Stultz. They are professional, dedicated and want to stick with it."
Stultz listened to Soldiers as they asked questions about promotions, switching of commands, availability issues for schools and changing from Army Reserve to active duty.
"What I want Soldiers to take away from this is to know that I am listening to them and I have the same concerns they do," said Stultz. "When I leave a town hall meeting, I have so many new ideas to present in Washington, and I learn something new as well."
As the Year of the Non-commissioned Officer comes to a close, Stultz pointed out the added importance that NCOs have in mentoring and shaping lower enlisted Army Reserve Soldiers and even officers.
"What distinguishes our Army from every other Army in the world is our NCO Corps," said Stultz. "To see them operate in the wartime environment, stepping up and taking responsibility and accountability, they really are the backbone of the Army. They are not only mentoring our young enlisted, they are shaping and mentoring some of our young officers for the future."
Following the meeting, Stultz had the honor of personally re-enlisting seven Army Reserve Soldiers and presenting six others with coins for good service.
"It's awe inspiring to me that everywhere I go, Soldiers that are sacrificing time away from their families and jobs this holiday season are stepping forward, raising their hand and saying 'I want to re-enlist,' said Stultz. "These men and women in uniform are a national treasure. The fact they know the sacrifices and the risks and they are still willing to say 'count me in' is awe inspiring."
With the Army Reserve including approximately 60 percent of the Army's medical force, 40 percent of its logistical support and 90 percent of its civil affairs, it fulfills a vital role in Third Army mission success.
"The professionalism and the civilian skills that Reserve Soldiers bring to the fight are the added values," said Stultz. "All the skill sets [Reservists] maintain at such a high level are what help enable Third Army to do its mission."