Shoulder to Shoulder
The Guard and Reserve are vital to our nation’s defense.
By Vice Adm. Norbert R. Ryan Jr., USN-Ret.

During the conflict in Iraq, as in numerous other places, our nation once again saw the value of strong reserve military forces. Our National Guard and Reserve members were there when it counted—ready to go and ready to serve.

For years, MOAA has championed the dedicated men and women who make up such an important part of U.S. military services. They demonstrate time and time again that our reserve components have become such integral parts of our total force that military success or failure often depends on them.

When Adm. Jerry L. Johnson, USN-Ret., chairman of MOAA’s board of directors, and I visited with Chief of the Army Reserve Lt. Gen. James R. Helmly, USA, Helmly observed that his forces actually are an “auxiliary force” rather than a force in reserve. It is clear that without their involvement, the entire operation in Iraq would have been much more difficult, if not impossible, to conduct. Reserve components are carrying a significant share of the operational workload. Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs Rear Adm. Thomas F. Hall, USN-Ret., makes this point well on page 50.

On a more personal level, guardmembers and reservists are our friends, our family members, our neighbors—and ourselves: 63,000 MOAA members are current or retired members of the reserve components. Guard and Reserve members, like those on active duty, train and serve faithfully. Too often they must sacrifice not only their time but also their own money—yet they do what they do for love of country and out of a willingness to put themselves at risk to defend our freedoms. 

MOAA lobbies hard for the welfare of its Guard and Reserve members. This year, we have emphasized continuity of health care for reserve families, tax deductions for drill-related expenses, an updated retirement system, unrestricted commissary privileges, unlimited drill points, and many other items. When I visited the Adjutant General of a state National Guard recently, he told me that winning health care continuity and drill expense deductibility would be a real shot in the arm to his efforts toward retention. This feedback strengthens our resolve to help.

I encourage those of you who come in contact with guardmembers or reservists to thank them for serving. I hope chapter leaders will invite representatives of the Guard and Reserve to attend—or speak at—MOAA chapter meetings. Along these lines, Adm. Johnson and I are scheduled to visit with Lt. Gen. H. Steven Blum, USA, chief of the National Guard Bureau. We hope he will speak at a major MOAA event so members again can recognize the National Guard for its continually outstanding work. Guard and Reserve members deserve everyone’s thanks for the job they do for our country.