Navy Reserve Celebrates Its
Centennial
March 3rd Marks the Celebration of U.S. Navy Reserve’s 100th
Anniversary
Washington DC, – The Navy Reserve will mark its centennial
anniversary on Tuesday, March 3rd with a series of events starting in Washington
DC and continuing at installations around the country during the year. The
events will highlight the history of the Navy Reserve and the remarkable
contributions Reserve Sailors have made to the nation’s security.
“Our
Centennial commemoration is a truly a once in a lifetime opportunity to
highlight the Reserve Sailors for their service, and that of their families, to
America.” said, Vice Admiral Robin Braun. “We want to recognize our rich history
and heritage with all of our Sailors, both past and present.”
For 100 years
Navy Reserve Sailors have answered our nation’s call in times of war and peace.
From communities across America, young men and women left their homes and jobs,
trading out civilian clothes for Navy uniforms. From its earliest days, the Navy
Reserve has reflected the face of the nation, welcoming members from every race,
color, creed and gender to strengthen our Force.
HISTORY OF NAVY RESERVE
1915-2015
Congress authorized the establishment of the Federal Naval Reserve on
March 3, 1915. Initially, the only Sailors eligible to enroll were enlisted Navy
veterans. On August 29, 1916, with the prospect of America’s entry into World
War I looming, the Navy Reserve reorganized to allow the enrollment of
non-veterans and was designated as the U.S. Naval Reserve Force.
When the
U.S. entered World War I on April 6, 1917, there were 8,000 Sailors serving in
the Navy Reserve Force. When the fighting ended on November 11, 1918, more than
250,000 Reserve Sailors were on active duty, which was more than half of the
war-time Navy. These Sailors included 12,000 pioneering women – who were all
released from active duty by 1920 not to serve again until World War
II.
During World War II, the Navy Reserve contributed 84 percent of the
Navy’s manpower. Navy Reserve Sailors in World War II included five future U.S.
Presidents – John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford,
George H.W. Bush – and 15 recipients of the Medal of Honor.
More than 22,000
Reserve Sailors were mobilized for the first Gulf War in the first post-Cold War
test of the Force, and since September 11, 2001, there have been more than
70,000 Selected Reserve mobilizations, along with an additional 4,500
deployments by Full Time Support Sailors, including more than 8,000 who have
done a second combat tour.
Navy Reserve Sailors deliver essential skills and
capabilities to the Navy and Joint Forces wherever and whenever needed. They
possess in-depth knowledge and experience that complement critical Navy missions
and provide best-practices, technical skills, process management and
demonstrated leadership from vastly different work cultures to the Navy.
With
nearly one quarter of the Navy Reserve Force providing support to the active
duty Navy on any given day, today’s Navy Reserve is the most combat and
operationally experienced Force in decades.
Navy Reserve Sailors are patriots
who balance the demands of family life, civilian careers, community service and
the United States Navy, bringing diverse, dedicated backgrounds from all walks
of life. Navy Reserve Sailors are successful because of the magnificent support
they get from their families, employers and friends throughout their
community.
The U.S. Navy Reserve – Ready then. Ready now. Ready
always.
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