Army Reserve emphasizes ‘circle of talent’

Army leaders are encouraging active duty soldiers to consider entering the Reserves, said retiring Lt. Gen Jack Stultz, former commanding general of the Army...

By Esther Carey
Special to Federal News Radio

The leaders of the Army and the Army Reserve are focusing on viewing the two organizations as one unified force and encouraging personnel to transition from one to the other, said retired Lt. Gen. Jack Stultz, former commanding general of the Army Reserve Command.

When soldiers choose to switch from active duty to reserve or vice versa, it saves the Army the money of training new people and maintains a “circle of talent,” said Stultz on Federal News Radio’s On DoD. Stultz relinquished command to Lt. Gen. Jeff Talley at a June 9 ceremony after serving in the post for six years.

“Formerly, both the active and Reserve forces were fully focused on retention,” Stultz said. “As we reduce the active Army force, the Reserve is beginning to absorb some of those people. We want them to see this as a time of transition rather than a time to get out of the military.”

The Reserve is an important part of the Army, since it accounts for the vast majority of support personnel such as engineers, drivers and medics. Stultz said his challenge as commander was transforming the Reserve from a strategic to an operational force when time was the issue rather than money. Talley will face the distinct challenge of maintaining the Reserve with plenty of time but limited budget.

Esther Carey is an intern at Federal News Radio.

RELATED STORIES:

In Army Reserve, clearing out ‘deadwood’ will make room for best and brightest

Copyright © 2024 Federal News Network. All rights reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

    Getty Images/iStockphoto/tab1962

    A decade after its creation, DHA thinks it has building blocks in place for an integrated military health system

    Read more
    U.S. Navy/MC1 Byron C. LinderSOUTH PACIFIC (July 9, 2017) Operations Specialist 1st Class Charles Hammond, from Kansas City, Missouri, monitors tracks aboard Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Sterett (DDG 104) during an air defense exercise comprised of Sterett, amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), amphibious transport dock USS Green Bay (LPD 20), amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48), Royal Australian Navy frigate helicopter HMAS Ballarat (FFH 155), Royal Australian Navy guided missile frigate HMAS Darwin (FFG 04), and Royal Australian Navy frigate helicopter HMAS Toowoomba (FFH 156) as part of Talisman Saber 17. Sterett, part of a combined U.S.-Australia-New Zealand expeditionary strike group (ESG), is undergoing a series of scenarios that will increase proficiencies defending the ESG against blue-water threats so amphibious forces can launch Marine forces ashore in the littorals. Talisman Saber is a biennial U.S.-Australia bilateral exercise held off the coast of Australia meant to achieve interoperability and strengthen the U.S.-Australia alliance. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Byron C. Linder/Released)170709-N-ZW825-895

    Navy charts massive transformation in shipboard IT as commercial 5G, satellite links join the fleet

    Read more
    GettyImages/DoD/Federal News Network

    Secret-level version of Microsoft 365 rolls out to top Pentagon offices this month

    Read more