Content Manager posted on March 01, 2010 00:10
March 2010 Navy
by MCPON (SS/SW) Rick D. West, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy
Since 1915, Navy Reservists have played an integral part in service to our nation; and back when I first joined the Navy, I heard reservists were “weekend warriors” serving one weekend a month and two weeks out of the year ... but through the years, I found out that nothing was further from the truth. From World War I, to World War II through Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm, to 9/11, and to Overseas Contingency Operations, Navy Reservists have continually stepped up, supported, and defended our nation against enemies foreign and domestic.
Since 9/11, our Navy Reserve has filled more than 62,000 mobilization requirements; and in 2009, more than 7,300 reservists were mobilized to support Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Our Reserve Warriors continually prove they are more than capable to meet any challenge and conduct any mission, any time, any where. Today, our Active Duty Component and our Navy Reserve Component are closer than they have ever been, creating the Navy’s Total Force. I greatly enjoy every opportunity when I travel around the world to meet and talk with Sailors; and when I see our hardworking, motivated Sailors, I can’t tell who is active duty or who is a reservist ... and that is absolutely how it should be, Sailors are Sailors! Today, we are one force; a Total Force integrated and executing the Navy’s mission wherever called.
Our Navy Reserve is an integral part of our amazing, capable Total Force. Their flexibility, responsiveness and ability to serve across a wide spectrum of operations clearly enhances the Navy’s global reach and endurance. Our reservists are a force multiplier providing unique skill sets often enhanced by their civilian skills while fulfilling the Navy’s missions in an increasingly uncertain world.
When the devastating earthquake hit Haiti, our Sailors were called upon to help in the interagency and multinational call to action to provide humanitarian assistance. They handed out food and water, aided in rescues, cleanup and rebuilding, showed care and compassion, and delivered exceptional medical care to the men, women and children of Haiti who so desperately needed it. I am extremely proud of our Sailors for their quick response to the short-notice deployment and their compassion and the commitment they showed and continue to show the people of Haiti. I was overwhelmed by the outpour of requests from our active, reserve, retirees and family members wanting to volunteer to help. I received numerous questions on my Facebook page (www.facebook.com/mcpon) asking when the Reserves were going to be mobilized and how they could volunteer to help the people of Haiti.
The Navy Reserve force deployed more than 550 volunteers under the Active Duty for Training and Annual Training orders and recalled more than 150 reservists to support Operation Unified Response in Haiti. These selfless acts of devout patriotism, commitment to serve and the willingness to jump at the chance to don the Navy uniform and represent the best Navy we’ve had in our history, is inspiring ... proving the Navy is truly a “Global Force for Good.”
Even though we have always had an operational Navy Reserve, since the terrorist attacks on 9/11, we’ve relied heavily on our strategic reserve force in order to meet various Naval and joint military missions. Navy requirements are continually being identified that can effectively and efficiently be accomplished with Reserve Component Sailors, and the establishment of the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command, which is made up of approximately 51 percent Navy Reserve Sailors, proves how vital the Navy Reserves are to today’s missions and the Navy’s Total Force. Programs aimed at the continuum of service such as Perform to Serve with a selective reserve option for Sailors leaving active duty creates a “Sailor for Life” approach that helps us ensure we maintain the best and brightest Sailors in our Reserve Component, furthering the total force.
Our Sailor’s Creed begins with “I am a United States Sailor” and that is exactly what I see when I travel throughout our Navy ... active and reserve Sailors from all walks of life working side by side as one team, one family and one Navy. Happy 95th anniversary Navy Reserve ... HOOYAH!