ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY

Targeted programs and incentives have helped the U.S. Army Reserve get on track to meet this year’s recruiting goal, and retention is “better than we’ve done in years,” said Lt. Gen. Charles D. Luckey, chief of the Army Reserve and commander of the U.S. Army Reserve Command.

At just under 190,000 soldiers, the U.S. Army Reserve is below its authorized strength of 199,500, but “doing better than we were four or five months ago,” he said, and “about right on the mark” with efforts to recruit new soldiers.

Fifteen employers have been selected to receive the Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award for their efforts on behalf of employees who are in the National Guard or Reserve.

“Our National Guard and Reserve members are a vital part of our national defense and deserve as much support as our country can provide,” Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said in a statement. “These 15 employers lead the way, and we are grateful for their role in helping to keep our nation safe and secure.”

The Army Reserve is taking a lesson from building a medical reserve force as it looks for tech-savvy talent to fill critical new jobs.

The best, most competent medical professionals available who don’t need training were found at little or no cost to the Army Reserve in private practice, and the private sector is now where the Army Reserve is looking for highly skilled professionals in technology, Chief of Army Reserve Lt. Gen. Charles D. Luckey said recently during a breakfast hosted by the Association of the U.S. Army’s Institute of Land Warfare.

Chief of Army Reserve Lt. Gen. Charles D. Luckey says his soldiers, their families and employers may feel the impact of having a more-ready force.

With his 21 years of combined service in the Regular Army, Army National Guard and Army Reserve, Secretary of the Army Mark T. Esper knows the value of the reserve components and the challenges.

In an Army News Service interview, Esper said his own service in the National Guard after he left active duty showed this was a talented, hardworking force. “I came to really respect the Guard,” he said.

Host and Association of the U.S. Army Council of Trustees member retired Lt. Gen. Jack Stultz kicked off the annual Maj. Gen. Robert G. Moorhead Guard/Reserve Breakfast this morning by reiterating the theme of the 2017 AUSA Annual Meeting & Exposition.

Among the speakers were Gen. Robert B. Abrams, commanding general, U.S. Army Forces Command; Acting Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs Raymond Horoho; and Chief of the Army Reserve Lt. Gen. Charles Luckey. To a man, each reiterated the exposition theme of “building readiness.”