Army News, news from Iraq, - Army Times

Reserve anniversary starts with re-enlistment

The Army Reserve on Jan. 18 kicked off a yearlong celebration of its 100th anniversary with the re-enlistment of 100 soldiers serving in Iraq.

The ceremony at Camp Victory in Baghdad was attended by Gen. David Petraeus, commanding general of Multi-National Force-Iraq, and Lt. Gen. Jack Stultz, chief of the Army Reserve.

It is the first of many national and regional events planned for this milestone anniversary, which falls on April 23.

The Reserve plans to mark the anniversary with “a worldwide celebration across the Army Reserve and all throughout the year,” said Maj. Gen. Mari K. Eder, deputy chief of the Reserve.

The biggest celebration will be on April 23, the anniversary itself, including re-enlisting 100 more soldiers on the steps of the Capitol, Eder said.

“We’re looking at a few other things, but they’re not finalized yet,” she said. “This is going to be a pretty major event for us.”

Also celebrating its 100th anniversary this year is the British Territorial Army, which is Britain’s reserve force, Eder said.

“We’ve been talking to them about doing an exchange … so we can celebrate together,” she said.

Stultz plans to attend their celebration in June in London, while their top officer will be in Washington for the Reserve’s celebrations in April.

Other anniversary events will be tied to dates like Memorial Day and Independence Day, Eder said. The component also plans to involve sections of the community that support Reserve soldiers, such as employers and community-based organizations.

“We’ll come up to the 23rd focusing on the history, the legacy [of the Army Reserve], and after that date we look toward the future and the next 100 years, which is how we continue to change, improve, build the systems that support soldiers, families and employers,” Eder said.

As the Reserve celebrates its birthday, its soldiers are committed to missions around the world even as the component itself continues to evolve and transform, Eder said.

“Every piece of the Army Reserve is in motion this year,” she said. “One of the things we would want to say to our soldiers this year is you can count on us to make sure you receive the support you need and the quality of life you deserve for the work you do, not only for the Army Reserve and the Army, but for the country.”