FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 18, 2008

Army Reserve Kicks-Off 100th Anniversary

 100 Army Reserve Soldiers Re-Enlist in Iraq, Commemorating a Century of Service and Sacrifice

Baghdad, Iraq—In recognition of the Army Reserve's 100th Anniversary, a special centennial re-enlistment ceremony of 100 Army Reserve Soldiers was held today at the Al Faw Palace in Baghdad, Iraq. The event kicked-off the Army Reserve's 100th Anniversary commemoration, which takes place throughout 2008. 

"Today's ceremony allowed us to thank and honor 100 Army Reserve Soldiers who are reenlisting while serving in a theater of war," said Lt. Gen. Jack C. Stultz, Chief, Army Reserve and Commanding General, Army Reserve Command. "These brave men and women are America's true Warrior-Citizens, taking time away from their civilian employers, families and communities to serve their country."

Almost 22,000 Army Reserve Soldiers are mobilized today, including more than 15,000 supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom and more than 7,000 deployed in support of homeland defense.

"After 100 years, the Army Reserve has never played a more vital role in the world's greatest Army," said Stultz. "The Army Reserve Soldier brings important civilian skill sets into our mission in Iraq, ranging from medical support, transportation, engineering, civilian affairs, and a multitude of other critical functions."

On April 23, 1908, Congress created the Medical Reserve Corps, later renamed the Army Reserve, from a group of 160 doctors formed to provide the nation with a reservoir of trained medical officers in times of war.  Over the past century, the Army Reserve has significantly expanded upon this successful model that leverages civilian skills and patriotism. 

Today's Army Reserve includes Soldiers who are professionals in a multitude of civilian career fields.  Army training instills value and leadership that make them a more valuable and trusted employee.  Conversely, their civilian training and job skills enhance the capability of today's Army.

Army Reserve Staff Sgt. Peter Vaughan was among the 100 Army Reserve Soldiers who re-enlisted today in Baghdad. Vaughn works as a broadcast technologist in the Army Reserve and owns his own computer consulting company in his hometown of Palatine, Ill.  "It is momentous to be in Iraq for the 100th Anniversary," says Vaughan, who is on his second overseas deployment with the Army Reserve. "I get to bring my civilian skills and background into our efforts in Iraq." 

Army Reserve Sgt. Jonathan Britt, who also re-enlisted today, is serving in Iraq as a combat medic. He provides health care and combat medicine at all levels to both U.S. Soldiers and enemy Soldiers, and will be pursuing a new career in nursing, based on his Army Reserve training, when he returns to the U.S.  The Army Reserve provides more than two-thirds of the Army's medical groups and brigades.

For more information about the Army Reserve and its 100th Anniversary, please visit the Army Reserve Web site at www.armyreserve.army.mil.

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 Note to Editors— B-roll of the event and interviews and B-roll of re-enlisting soldiers are available upon request.  High resolution photos of the event are available to download on the following FTP site (please paste into your browser address field):

ftp://ArmyReserve100thevent:ArmyReserve100
thevent@nyc-ftp.interpublic.com

Username: ArmyReserve100thevent
Password: ArmyReserve100thevent

CONTACTS:   

Richard Baker
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rbaker@powelltate.com

Katie Martha
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