Our guest speakers today included three service men from the army reserve. They included Christopher Gunnare, SFC , Melissa Bennet, SFC, and Michael Cooper, SFC. Many things in the army reserve have changed in the last twenty years. The army reserve focuses on officer training in military support capabilities. The applicants come either directly from high school or during college or even after completing active military service in different branches of the military. The army reserve trains new soldiers, allows existing soldiers to remain in service and also increases the total number of soldiers in the military. The services they provide are primarily to support active duty military personnel.

When considering army reserves the first question asked is do you want to serve your country in a military compacity? Do you want to serve your country in a logistic job position rather than active duty? Military reserve offers jobs that provide active support to all branches of the military. They can include:

• Medical
• IT
• Logistics
• Cyber security
• Military police
• General construction
• Etc.

If you can think of a job to support military personnel, that job is most likely available through the army reserve program.  Sources of people entering the program come from high school, college or other branches of the military where individuals have already served. However the largest group of people entering the army reserve programs are those seeking US citizenship. If you join the army reserve you are obligated to serve 1 weekend a month and 2 weeks every year. If your unit is deployed you may be gone as long as 1 or 2 years. Interestingly, the US government has what is called a USARA program that allows reservists to be called to duty without jeopardizing their existing relationship at work. You cannot be fired from your job for participating in the army reserve. You are actually entitled to 3 years off from your job before returning.

The army reserve can also pay for your college education and other programs that require certification as long as you stay committed to those programs. The army reserve will pay for housing, college credits, food, etc., as long as you are in these educational programs. If by chance you have children who are in high school or college, those educational program fees can be paid for your children. It sure seems as though there are an abundance of opportunities for those who want to serve. It definitely appears that our military services are changing their incentives to meet the needs of our nation. Our thanks to our three guests for their insights and their first hand observations in the army reserves.