Reserve Organization of America

08/26/2023

Aug. 26 is Women’s Equality Day, when we honor the pioneering suffragists who persisted through decades of struggle to finally win American women the right to vote, and we celebrate the advocates and everyday heroes who have continued the long march for equality ever since.

The 19th Amendment was certified 103 years ago -- three years before the founding of ROA. Since the Revolutionary War, more than 3 million women have served, even before the military fully recognized their service.

Thank you for your service, from all of us at ROA.

08/26/2023

DAF observes Women’s Equality Day to commemorate the advancement of women’s civil rights & call attention to issues that adversely affect careers & advancement. We continue to make efforts to ensure each member of our can serve to their full potential.

08/26/2023

Women's Equality Day message from 7th Mission Support Command in Europe.

Happy Women's Equality Day to all those who came before, and are currently serving.

We'll be sharing several videos throughout the day from military units around the world.

08/26/2023

The Army Reserve, now more than ever, continues to strengthen their sustainable strategic path while modernizing for the future. To support the Army of 2030, the Army Reserve is facilitating and supporting the adoption of new, novel, and emerging technologies through facilitating studies, pilots, and demonstrations to verify performance in Army Reserve facilities.

Known as an early adopter of new technologies, the Army Reserve is partnering with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory to conduct 10 active energy and water demonstrations/pilots leveraging funding through numerous partnership programs.

Follow the link to continue on reading or sign up for ROA's Smartbrief under our "Publications" tab: https://bit.ly/44oWRhD.



08/25/2023

We aim to continue on advocating for our and members for the next century as we have done it for 100 years. In order to continue, we need your help. You can do this through your financial support.

Click on the link if you would like to support our Guard and reserve troops: https://bit.ly/3rTaacg



08/24/2023

"The House last week passed appropriations legislation that would allocate $1.9 billion for the Department of Veterans Affairs’ electronic health record modernization program if it passes into law in its current form." (Source: FEDSCOOP).

Follow the link to continue on reading or sign up to ROA's Smartbrief under our "Publications" tab: https://bit.ly/3ODy7fk



08/23/2023

"104th Medical Group members practice splinting during a Tactical Combat Casualty Care training course, August 5, 2023, at the Hartford Health Center for Education, Simulation, and Innovation, Hartford, Connecticut. The 104th MDG Airmen spent four days with CESI TCCC instructors advancing their medical knowledge through a variety of lectures, skills exercises, and obstacle courses aimed to provide them with the resources they need to facilitate implementing the best medical practices in battlefield trauma care. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Sara Kolinski)" (Source: DVIDS).

Visit the link below for more information: https://bit.ly/3E0HfWs



08/20/2023

"Mila, after performing her recovery job, rests with her ball during Northern Strike 2023 on Camp Grayling, Michigan, Aug. 10, 2023. These animals can detect recently dead bodies and those who have been deceased for some time, even if the only remains are dried blood or fragments of bone. NS23 is a premier reserve component training event that integrates both U.S. and partner nation readiness training to build interoperability and strengthen partnerships in an all-domain environment. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Patrick Mayabb)" (Source: DVIDS).

Visit the link below for more information: https://bit.ly/3OsggrS



08/19/2023

"On July 26, ROA’s legislation and military policy director, Matthew Schwartzman, and defense fellow, Zoe Wertlieb, attended a panel symposium hosted by Blue Star Families titled “Freedom to Serve: Integrating the Armed Services.”

The symposium, located at Howard University, celebrated the 75th anniversary of Executive Order 9981, which integrated the U.S. armed forces in 1948." (Source: https://bit.ly/3AoajE3).

To continue on reading, visit ROA's News and Views section for more Guard and Reserve related news: https://bit.ly/3KH6Fwl



08/19/2023

"WASHINGTON — The Pentagon’s top technology official instructed defense agencies, military services and other offices to prioritize a $9 billion cloud computing arrangement, including when cutting deals concerning the nation’s most sensitive data.
Defense Department Chief Information Officer John Sherman in a memo made public Aug. 2 said a number of existing cloud services will transition to the Joint Warfighting Cloud Capability, or JWCC, upon expiration. New agreements made for secret and top-secret classifications should adopt JWCC, as well, he said." (Source: DefenseNews).

Follow the link to continue on reading or sign up to ROA's Smartbrief under our "Publications" tab: https://bit.ly/3qE4N0i



08/19/2023

Legislative Achievement - for a century, ROA has lead the way on advocating for Reserve, Guard members on Capitol Hill. Click on the link below to learn about the new legislative proposals that ROA is currently working. You can support our advocacy efforsts for our and units by contacting your legislators.

Visit the link below for more information:



08/19/2023

"Come November, most active-duty and some Reserve and National Guard members will be able to sign up for flexible spending accounts to help pay for child care, preschool, day camps and even adult day care services as part of the federal Flexible Spending Account program." (Source: https://bit.ly/43SmKGf).

Follow the link to continue on reading or sign up to ROA's Smartbrief under our "Publications" tab: https://bit.ly/3qureVI



08/19/2023

The leaders of the Senate Appropriations Committee have reached an agreement to add $8 billion to the FY24 defense budget, using emergency spending authority to bypass spending limits established by the recent debt ceiling agreement.

The debt agreement suspends the debt limit in exchange for capping federal spending over the next two years. National security spending would be confined to the president’s requested levels of $886 billion in FY25 and $895 billion in FY25.

Once the agreement was reached, lawmakers began discussing various options for bypassing their own spending limits to strengthen the defense budget. The simplest option is to utilize an emergency supplemental spending bill, which would not be subjected to the spending caps.

Source: (Defense & Security Monitor).

Full story: https://bit.ly/459IUVz

08/19/2023

First Corporal Amelo Diego, on the left, and Corporal Metsen Glainnal, in the center, both members of the Suriname Armed Forces, along with U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Fiona Berndt, on the right, from the 129th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, South Dakota Army National Guard, took part in a public affairs subject matter expert exchange.

This exchange was conducted as a part of the National Guard Bureau's State Partnership Program in coordination with U.S. Southern Command, held on July 19-20, 2023.

In the most recent exchange, three South Dakota National Guard public affairs experts were sent to Paramaribo, Suriname. They spent two days engaging in discussions about communication strategies, media relations, and photography techniques with members of the Suriname Defense Forces.

This effort aimed to foster a mutually beneficial, long-term security cooperation relationship between the two partnering entities.

(U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Jorrie Hart)

08/18/2023

Do you know the answer to this trivia question 🙋‍♀️

TRIVIA TIME! This "option" is for high schoolers and college students who are ready to serve while still going to school 📚. You go to BCT during the summer, and train one weekend a month with your local RSP. Name it below or ask us how to get involved! 🤔

08/18/2023

"The military has stood up a task force and greatly expanded its involvement to more than 400 service members as it continues to respond to the deadly and record-breaking wildfires on the Hawaiian island of Maui.

The Pentagon is now "executing six approved mission assignments from FEMA" that include moving people, cargo and supplies to the island; housing first responders; and helping with aerial firefighting, Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh told reporters at a press conference Tuesday." (Source: Military.com)

Read the full story here: https://bit.ly/3E6RQiE

To stay up-to-date on all and news, sign up to ROA's Smartbrief under our "Publications" tab.

08/18/2023

U.S. Army Paratroopers assigned to the 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne), prepare to complete the proper landing procedures to prevent the risk of injuries during an Airborne jump on February 25, 2023 near Camp Williams, Utah. Parachute landing fall known as PLF is a safety technique that allows a parachutist to land safely and to displace the energy of the body contacting the earth at high speeds. (Utah Army National Guard photo by Spc. Christopher Hall)



08/17/2023

ROA’s Director of Legislation and Military Policy, Matthew Schwartzman, testified before Congress on June 14th. He highlighted the necessity of ensuring that reserve component service members and military spouses receive adequate employment and reemployment protections as per the law.

For the full story: https://bit.ly/3KGzglx

08/17/2023

Sweeping changes to how sexual assaults and other serious crimes are handled by military prosecutors will begin to go into effect on Friday, five months ahead of the deadline mandated by Congress for the reforms.

President Joe Biden is scheduled to sign an executive order on Friday formalizing rules surrounding the military’s Offices of Special Trial Counsel, independent prosecutors who will now decide whether to prosecute certain offenses including as sexual assault, domestic violence, child abuse, and murder.

Click to read more: https://bit.ly/44a3Evl

Military Times
Congress United States
President Joe Biden



08/16/2023

This week, Senator Jon Ossoff and Jerry Morgan (R-KS), introduced legislation aimed at bolstering mental health support for service members.

The legislation, known as the Servicemember Mental Health Support Act, seeks to enhance oversight of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) policies regarding the referral of active-duty personnel to outside mental health care specialists.

(Source: WJCL 22ABC)

Learn more - https://bit.ly/3DARmBs

08/16/2023

Don’t leave your success in the Interview to chance; there is no magic formula. It comes down to Preparation! Preparation! Preparation! This is about preparing to SELL YOURSELF! Learn what to do before, during, and after an interview, as well as how to prepare for the most common interview questions. Class taught by Milinda Rau, Master Trainer, Training and Outreach Specialist, VetJobs/Military Spouse Jobs.

August 16
Register today at
https://attendee.gototraining.com/8ql40/rt/8830175003557436162?tz=America%2FChicago&training=5560756299234566657&training_7_register=Register

08/15/2023

Get ready for ROA's 2023 National Convention!

We look forward to seeing you in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to join fellow members as we gather to hear interesting and informative speakers, collaborate, mentor, conduct association business, see old friends and make new ones.

Click on the link for more information: https://bit.ly/3PXi8en.

08/15/2023

The 2023 Military Health System Research Symposium kicked off today!

is the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD)’s premier scientific meeting focused on the unique medical needs of the warfighter.

Learn how innovative research supports military readiness: https://health.mil/News/Dvids-Articles/2023/08/14/news451336

08/15/2023

Great job representing ROA! Are you in a small community and want to learn how to connect? Join a chapter at ROA.org.

08/14/2023

How the US military is helping put down Hawaii's wildfires -- https://abcn.ws/3YzlVkq.

Get updates like this via our SmartBrief emails: https://bit.ly/3Oyg6zm


National Guard Air National Guard

Hawaii's National Guard and assistance from active-duty forces was crucial in response to Maui's devastating wildfires

08/14/2023

Today, on National Navajo Code Talkers Day, we pay tribute to the remarkable Native Americans and First Nations people who played a vital role in the U.S. war effort during World War II and other conflicts.

Their languages, including Cherokee, Choctaw, Comanche, Hopi, and Navajo, were turned into ingenious codes that baffled Axis powers. President Ronald Reagan established this day in 1982, and we continue to honor their legacy today.

08/14/2023

🚨Attention🚨

and !

Do you know any Reserve or National Guard families with children between 10-14 years of
age?

WE WANT TO HEAR THEIR STORIES.

We are giving $1000 to the first place winner of the annual Children's Writing Contest.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/3k7r3Jd.

08/11/2023

The United States Army Reserve has resolved the temporary outage of the Tuition Assistance funding that impacted some of our Soldiers earlier this week.

Funding is available and there should be no lapse in any Army Reserve Soldier’s ability to register for courses and use their educational benefits.

We apologize for the uncertainty and concern this caused our Soldiers and their Families.

08/10/2023

Watch as members of the 134th Fire Service train for CBRN defense while deployed for training at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.

The location provides an austere environmental setting and an opportunity to conduct training they don't have the chance to complete at their home station.

Have any of you undergone CBRN training before? Feel free to share what you liked and disliked the most in the comments.

Click here for the full video: https://bit.ly/3rKgIKl

08/10/2023

Happy Birthday to the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD)! The official anniversary of the creation of the Department of Defense, as we know it in modern times, is August 10. Established in 1949, thanks to an amended National Security Act the agency is run by the Secretary of Defense (SECDEF), with the Joint Chiefs of Staff for the various military services operating subordinate to the SECDEF.

08/09/2023

Today is the last day to send in your "Intent to File" form.

The PACT Act is perhaps the largest health care and benefit expansion in VA history. The full name of the law is The Sergeant First Class (SFC) Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act.

The PACT Act will bring these changes:
- Expands and extends eligibility for VA health care for Veterans with toxic exposures and Veterans of the Vietnam, Gulf War, and post-9/11 eras
- Adds 20+ more presumptive conditions for burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic exposures
- Adds more presumptive-exposure locations for Agent Orange and radiation
- Requires VA to provide a toxic exposure screening to every Veteran enrolled in VA health care
- Helps us improve research, staff education, and treatment related to toxic exposures
If you’re a Veteran or survivor, you can file claims now to apply for PACT Act-related benefits.

File by MIDNIGHT ON AUGUST 9: https://bit.ly/3tPdl2y

08/09/2023

Pack your bags and let's get ready to tango in ! ROA is having its UPORFA Congress this year in Buenos Aires. From September 21 to 23, we will be gathering to connect with other ROA members and military personnel from other countries as well.

Follow the link for more information. https://bit.ly/44HYWWE

08/08/2023

Celebrate with us: October 2, 2022, marked the dawn of an exceptional journey for ROA as our Centennial Year began. Join this momentous occasion by utilizing our Centennial Toolkit - https://bit.ly/3i3M5Lf.

Join us in October for our National Convention in Baton Rouge, Louisiana: https://bit.ly/3PXi8en.

08/08/2023

In a display of cooperation and camaraderie, soldiers from the Republic of Korea and the 658th Regional Support Group, 9th Mission Support Command, U.S. Army Reserve joined forces for a coordinated convoy exercise from June 19-22.

The exercise, aimed at ensuring a seamless resupply of resources to forward units during wartime, showcased the commitment of both nations to strengthen their alliance further.

08/07/2023

The U.S. Air Force's top officer in Europe said on Tuesday that the service aims to bring new fighter pilots, air planners, and other reservists to the region.

This move comes as the military seeks to relieve active duty troops who have been stretched thin by efforts to deter Russia and support NATO amid the war in Ukraine.

The plan is a response to President Joe Biden's executive order on July 13, which authorized the Pentagon to mobilize up to 3,000 reservists for duty in Europe.

Military officials have clarified that this order will not increase the total number of U.S. troops in the region.

Full story: https://bit.ly/3qhrk2O.

(Source: Military Times)
NATO

08/07/2023

Purple Heart Day (1782): The Purple Heart is a distinguished military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving in the U.S. armed forces.

Military Order of the Purple Heart, USA

08/03/2023

"Fifty years ago, the United States military began to fill its ranks solely with brave Americans who freely chose to defend our republic. Ever since the draft ended on July 1, 1973, Americans have joined our military out of conviction, not compulsion. Over the years, the members of our All-Volunteer Force have been motivated by patriotism, pride, and principle—by the desire to be a part of something bigger than themselves, and by their love for our exceptional nation."

Read Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's full statement on the 50th Anniversary of America's All-Volunteer Force: https://bit.ly/44Rvf5O

08/03/2023

U.S. Army Reserve Col. David Farabaugh, Chief of Training for WAREX 78-23-02 and Staff Sgt. Darryll Slimmer, a master gunner assigned to the 84th Training Command, operate a Browning M2 .50 Caliber Machine Gun on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, July 20, 2023.

This exercise is part of the annual U.S. Army Reserve Warrior Exercise 78-23-02, held at JBMDL, in which Army Reserve Soldiers conduct training under the 78th Training Division.

(U.S. Army Reserve Photo by Spc. Britton Spencer)

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08/02/2023

Are you a or member of our ? If so, check out our where you can learn about the different laws and benefits that protect you and your family while being a Citizen Warrior.

Simply click on the link: https://bit.ly/2OhGGha