Impact of Army Reserve explained at Minn. congressional briefing

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Corey Beal | Brig. Gen. R.A. Bassford, 88th Regional Support Command deputy commanding general, explains the impact of the Army Reserve on the state of Minnesota during a congressional briefing held in Fort Snelling, Minn., Feb. 4. Hosted by Army Reserve Ambassadors Thomas Haugo, James Lundell and Steve Carter, in conjunction with the 88th RSC, the briefing gave members of Congress and/or their representatives the current status of the Army Reserve as it relates to the state of Minnesota.  

FORT SNELLING, MN, UNITED STATES

02.04.2015

Courtesy Story

88th Readiness Division

By Maj. William Geddes, public affairs officer
103rd Sustainment Command

FORT SNELLING, Minn. - Brig. Gen. R.A. Bassford, 88th Regional Support Command deputy commanding general, explained the impact of the Army Reserve on the state of Minnesota during a congressional briefing held Wednesday in Fort Snelling, Minnesota.

Hosted by Army Reserve Ambassadors Thomas Haugo, James Lundell and Steve Carter, in conjunction with the 88th RSC, the briefing gave members of Congress and/or their representatives the current status of the Army Reserve as it relates to the state of Minnesota.

Col. Rhonda Smillie, 88th RSC legislative liaison, said it is vital that the public and elected officials understand the impact of the Army Reserve in the local communities.

“These events are exciting and can be eye-opening,” said Smilie. “Our legislators and their representatives in the states and districts gain true insight into the Reserve Soldier’s life, the role of the United States Army Reserve in the nation’s defense and our impact on the communities they represent.”

Minnesota is home to nearly 4,000 Army Reserve Soldiers and civilians serving in 111 Units located throughout the state. The total positive economic impact of the Army Reserve to Minnesota in 2014 has been totaled to more than $140,000,000.

Ten representatives from eight congressional offices attended the event, as did representatives from the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve.

Representatives from Army Reserve commands in Minnesota also attended to answer questions the congressional representatives might have, including Col. Douglas Eisenshenk, 644th Regional Support Group and Dave Skavnak, 372nd Engineer Brigade.

• Date Taken: 02.04.2015
• Date Posted: 02.06.2015 17:04
• Story ID: 153843
• Location: FORT SNELLING, MN, US