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Chief of the Army Reserve Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Talley (left), listens to 7th Civil Support Command Commanding General Brig. Gen. Arlan M. Deblieck during a meeting with the unit’s senior leadership at 7th CSC headquarters June 2.
Against the backdrop of Army reductions in end strength, the Chief of the Army Reserve and the Army Reserve senior enlisted leader conducted a town hall meeting for the 7th Civil Support Command June 2.
Chief of the Army Reserve, Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Talley, and the Army Reserve Senior Enlisted Leader, Command Sgt. Maj. Luther Thomas Jr., fielded over a dozen questions from 7th CSC Soldiers, civilians and family members.
“Thank you for being a Soldier in our Army,” Talley said.
Army Reserve Soldiers are organized into different product lines, he added.
Army Reserve Soldiers serve as one of three types: as Active Guard Reserve Soldiers, Troop Program Unit Soldiers or as Individual Mission Augmentee Soldiers.
“What I’m looking for, as a Soldier for life, is someone with experience in all three product lines,” Talley said. “I just want you to be part of the Army Reserve.”
The audience members asked the CAR and the CSM a number of questions about many topics, including the Army Reserve’s end strength, meeting Army fitness standards, the number of minorities and women serving in the Army Reserve General Officer Corps, the possible new military retirement system and civilian credentialing and continuing education.
“I thought it was a great visit,” said Spc. Justin Berg, a human resource specialist with the 406th Human Resources Company, 7th CSC. “They answered a lot of questions that TPU Soldiers ask amongst themselves.”
Talley also emphasized the critical contributions and the regular Army’s increasing reliance on Army Reserve Warrior Citizens throughout the two-hour assembly.
Other topics discussed were the roles of the Army Reserve Engagement Cells and Army Reserve Engagement Teams at the Combatant Command headquarters. Using ARECs and ARETs, Talley has led the Army Reserve initiative to regionally align USAR units.
“I am trying to put more ownership on the theater component commands,” Talley said. “I am looking for that broadening experience.”
More than 100 Soldiers, civilians and family members attended the event.
“It was good,” said Sgt. 1st Class Maria Pitrone, a training NCO assigned to Company D, 457th Civil Affairs Battalion, 361st Civil Affairs Brigade, 7th CSC. “I think it was a very informative visit. (The) timing couldn’t have been better — it shows the CAR cares, especially the distance to travel here.”
