The Army’s senior civilian overseeing its reserve components that the current operations in Afghanistan and Iraq are “the only extended war since the Revolutionary War that we have fought with an all-volunteer force.”
Ronald James, assistant secretary of the Army for reserve affairs, added in a recent address, “The enemies we face today have no borders to defend” and “their weapon is terror, their victims are innocents.”
He said that the change of the reserve components to an operational force “has saved our country from a draft,” and they “are an economic buy for the nation.”
James said activation policies and procedures “require fundamental change” that would benefit soldiers, their families and employers. “Military life is not an easy one. … We need to make sure that we step up, [and] make sure the Army family stays healthy.”
Adding, “This last war is not being fought by the nation. … The Army has done the heavy lifting in this war.”