Casey Coane posted on March 01, 2006 10:33
March 2006 - Navy
by RADM Casey W. Coane, USN (Ret)
Happy Birthday, Navy Reservists. March marks the ninety-first birthday of the establishment of the Federal Naval Reserve by an act of congress. Now, in the first two sentences, I have said "Naval Reserve" and "Navy Reservists"; and I think that this birthday is an excellent time to talk about - why the change? Some of you may be on board and many of you may not have any idea why. In December, as part of Congress finally getting the Defense Authorization Bill passed, they also included the official name change from the Naval Reserve to the Navy Reserve. This all began, however, when then-CNO Admiral Vern Clark decided to realign the Navy Reserve and, in essence, take responsibility for our Reserve Component. He gave VADM Cotton some specific guidance as to the direction this alignment should take. In executing that direction, VADM Cotton believes that what is now commonly referred to as ARI (Active Reserve Integration) means that we are truly becoming the Navy’s reserve. “. . . we are now in the U.S. Navy, not the U.S. Naval Reserve; and every Reservist has more opportunity to serve . . . .”
About the time that this discussion surfaced, along came the “R” discussion. Here, also, not much has been published; but let me take a crack at clarification. CNO Clark said this: “Effective immediately, we will refer to all of our Sailors, Active and Reserve, as United States Navy Sailors.” * From that simple sentence, the “R” has disappeared. Understandably, there are differences of opinion on this among the FTS, new Reservists, and old (better say “senior”) Reservists. Some say, “Hurray! I’m now really part of today’s Navy.” Some say “I’m a Reservist and proud of it; and if I drop the ‘R’, I’m losing some identity.” The position of your Association, with regards to our magazine and our database, is that we will refer to you with or without as you individually let us know your preference.
The Quadrennial Defense Review will be sent to Congress by the President just about the time this issue goes to press. In April, we will bring you a discussion of what it said and what it didn’t say. The thinking around the Washington Beltway is that it will preserve major hardware acquisitions while cutting some manpower. In light of continuing Congressional discussions over whether or not our forces are stretched too thinly, there will no doubt be some push back on the manpower piece. On Naval issues, it is widely expected that the QDR will affirm the Navy’s call for eleven carriers (Congress is requiring twelve – causing retention of Kennedy) while directing a greater naval presence in the Pacific and accelerating the Navy’s plans for a brown water force of river craft.
It seems clear that our nation is on a path changing its concept of reserve forces from strategic to operational. We are in for a long struggle. In case you have missed it – The GWOT is now The Long War. The Reserve Components of all services ARE going to fight that long war. I believe that changes the “contract” that the country has had with its Reservists and that is the message that your Association recently took to the staff of the Senate Armed Services Committee. I don’t for one minute doubt that you want to serve; but when you take a one year recall from your civilian career, you may miss out on promotion opportunities. You will miss out on 401K contributions and matching contributions. These things and other similar ones affect your retirement down the road. (I’m in that age zone, so I think about those things.) We want Congress to keep their eyes on that changing seascape. We certainly intend to do so.
If you subscribe to Navy Times, you may have noticed your Association logo under the add for this year’s Navy Times Sailor of the Year. Each year, this award recognizes an unsung hero. Please see the announcement in this magazine on page 30; go to the Web site indicated and nominate someone.
In this month’s Health Affairs column, CAPT John S. Hughes, MC (Ret) recounts a career story that reminds us all not of what we sacrifice in a reserve career but how we are enriched. Find it on page 9.
As always, enjoy the read.