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Posted By Dept. of Texas,
Saturday, April 20, 2024
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Marquis Who's Who (MWW), the world's leading biographical publisher, published their 2024 list of "Distinguished Leaders" in the Feb. 21 Wall Street Journal. Former ROA Department of Texas president, retired U.S. Navy Capt. Morgan Little, was recognized as chairman emeritus of the Texas Coalition of Veterans Organizations. Little, in his lifelong service to ROA at the national level, has served as Naval Services Section vice president and chair of the National Legislation Committee, among other leadership roles. His service to ROA's Department of Texas includes Department Navy VP and national councilman, and Texas Chapter 5 (Austin) president. He was awarded the ROA Brigade of Volunteers award and is a formidable advocate for military readiness and veterans’ benefits. A veteran of the Vietnam War, Little held four commands and served more than three decades in the Navy; he has held leadership positions in the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, and is a member of several military and veterans organizations, including the National Association of Destroyer Veterans, aka Tin Can Sailors.
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Posted By Dept. of Virginia,
Friday, April 19, 2024
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Retired Maj. Gen. Roger W. Sandler, U.S. Army Reserve (above left) poses with Virginia Department President Tom Hueg after being inducted into the Minuteman Hall of Fame. Maj. Gen. Roger W. Sandler was inducted into the 102nd ROA Minute Man Hall of Fame September 30, 2023. The tradition began in 1959 when ROA inducted President Harry S. Truman into the Minute Man Hall of Fame. Sandler is a former chief of the U.S. Army Reserve, a position he held from August 1, 1991 to January 31, 1994.
This honor is awarded to a person who has conspicuously contributed to the advancement of ROA programs and objectives.
Tom Hueg, Virginia’s department president, personally presented the award. “It was a pleasure to present the plaque to Maj. Gen. Sandler,” said Hueg. “I was able to visit with him and Jane for about an hour on Friday morning.”
Sandler has given his nation and ROA more than six decades of dedicated and selfless service. His leadership has been instrumental in ensuring the readiness of the U.S. Army’s active and reserve components. As an ROA leader, he has been instrumental in the association’s effectiveness in fulfilling its century-old purpose.
He is a “mustang” - the elite soldier who has served both in the enlisted ranks and as an officer. After his 1956 graduation from Grinnell College in Iowa, he enlisted, serving as a battalion clerk in West Germany. In 1962, he received a direct commission into the Adjutant General Corps. While serving in the Army Reserve, he also helped his father run their business that distributed coin-operated amusement and vending machines.
Sandler served as ROA’s national president from 1987 to 1988 – he joined ROA in 1962 as a new lieutenant. A life member, he served our association as Army Vice President, Board of Trustees chair, as a leader in UPORFA and in 1994, served as executive director. He continues as an active ROA member and advocate for the Reserve Components. To this man of humble demeanor, yet phenomenal energy, devotion, and accomplishment, we offer thanks and recognition for six-plus decades of service to ROA and the men and women of America’s Reserve Components.
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Posted By Dept. of North Carolina,
Friday, April 19, 2024
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North Carolina Department President Col. Ihor “Iggi” Husar, presented the Reserve Organization of America (ROA) Award for Merit to immediate past department president Lt. Col. James R. Adams, USAR (Ret). North Carolina Department President Col. Ihor “Iggi” Husar, presented the Reserve Organization of America (ROA) Award for Merit to immediate past department president Lt. Col. James R. Adams, USAR (Ret). Husar made the award presentation on April 1, 2024 at the Fayetteville Independent Light Infantry (FILI) headquarters at the end of a recent FILI meeting. Lt. Col. Mike Moose, who read the citation, is an officer of FILI, and alumni of the U.S. Military Academy and the secretary of the North Carolina Department. “It was an honor and a privilege to present the ROA Award of Merit to Jim as a USMA graduate and hard worker for his many years of service to the Department,” said Moose. Other department members present for the award ceremony were: - Rear Adm. Paul Kayye, USN-R (Ret.)
- Brig. Gen. Ferdinand Irizzary, USAR (Ret.)
- Lt. Col. Thomas M. Froneberger, USAR (Ret.), department treasurer
- Lt. Col. Oland Little, USAR (Ret.)
- Sgt. 1st Class Karl Whitby, USAR (Ret.)
Irizzary, Adams, Moose, and Whitby are members of FILI.
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Posted By ROA Staff,
Monday, March 18, 2024
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 ROA’s executive director, retired Army Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Phillips, briefed the U.S. Army Reserve's top sergeants major on March 5 to discuss how they could become involved in ROA, and gain influence with its programs and advocacy effectiveness for the readiness of their soldiers and the quality of reserve component life.
At the invitation of Command Sgt. Maj. Lombardo, Phillips provided remarks at the December 2023 senior USAR Noncommissioned Officer offsite banquet. In a follow-up letter to Command Sergeant Major Lombardo, Phillips emphasized as an “inflection point” ROA’s readiness for NCO influence and leadership, which offer both ROA and enlisted leaders, former and serving, an unprecedented opportunity.
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Posted By ROA Staff,
Monday, March 18, 2024
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Army National Guard (ANG): The Department of the Air Force selected Warfield Air National Guard Base (ANGB) as the preferred location to transition from an A-10 Thunderbolt II to a cyber wing mission. Replacing the aging A-10 Thunderbolt IIs at the 175th Fighter Wing with a cyber mission will create a natural synergy between cyber assets at Fort George G. Meade and the 175th Cyberspace Operations Group already operating out of Warfield ANGB. The move will also align the Maryland Air National Guard with an enduring modern mission that meets the requirements of the National Defense Strategy. The divestiture is scheduled to begin this fall and will not preclude Warfield ANGB from being considered for other potential missions in the future.
Pacific Air Forces (PACAF):- The Pacific Air Forces commander discussed expanding use of military and civilian airfields in the Pacific. Gen. Kevin Schneider (PACAF/CC) stated that he can see it more about locations, where the Air Force has permission for access, basing and overflight when needed, said. “There are a lot of airfields around the Pacific, some of them that haven’t been used in years, and we’re reclaiming and doing efforts to restore some of those,” said Schneider. “It helps us gain an ability to operate, whatever the environment, whatever the situation.”
- US and South Korean Airmen began a five-day combat drill Monday to bolster defense against aerial threats. The exercise, known as Ssangmae Training, kicked off alongside the 11-day joint military exercise, Freedom Shield, aimed at countering North Korean provocations. Service members from Australia, Belgium, Canada, Colombia, France, Great Britain, Greece, Italy, New Zealand, the Philippines and Thailand also participated in the exercise. Freedom Shield, which focuses on combined, multi-domain operations with land, air, sea, and non-kinetic assets, is the latest example of the ironclad commitment to support and defend the Republic of Korea sovereignty from any threat or adversary.
PACAF/ANG: - US Air Force F-35 Lightning IIs from Eielson Air Force Base arrived for a community event at Rimba Air Base, Brunei. Members of the Royal Brunei Air Force and Brunei US Embassy saw a static display of the first US Air Force F-35 to land in Brunei. This year marks 40 years since the United States established diplomatic relations with Brunei Darussalam. The arrival of the aircraft also coincided with an official visit from Maj. Gen. Mark Weber (ANG assistant to COMPACAF) and Jedidiah Royal (SecDef principal deputy assistant).
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Posted By Kalen M. Cotto,
Monday, March 18, 2024
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The Air Force Reserve hosted a Yellow Ribbon event from Feb. 16 - 18, 2024, in Denver, Colorado. Retired Lt. Col. Alan Flolo, from the Department of Colorado, manned the ROA table (pictured above), entertained deployers from more than 30 installations with Westover leading the way in attendance. The Yellow Ribbon Event included more than 70 personnel providing many different resources and information to deployers and their families. Flolo distributed 30 STARs in Schools kits to help deployers formally notify their childrens' schools that a family member is about to be, or is currently, deployed. Kudos to Scott Russel, Anne Groskreutz, Margaret Cope and several key ROA members on their efforts in making this event a success.
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Posted By The Exchange,
Friday, March 15, 2024
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The Army & Air Force Exchange Service is offering free advance screenings of Amazon MGM Studios’ upcoming action film “Road House” at Reel Time Theaters worldwide on March 16. A reimagining of the 1980s cult classic, “Road House” releases for streaming March 21 on Prime Video. Moviegoers can find more information and showtimes on their local Exchange’s Facebook page and at the Reel Time Movie Guide. "Road House" stars Jake Gyllenhaal as Dalton, an ex-UFC fighter trying to escape his dark past and his penchant for violence, in this adrenaline-fueled actioner. Dalton is barely scraping by on the reputation that still precedes him when he is spotted by Frankie (Jessica Williams), owner of a roadhouse in the Florida Keys. She hires him to be her new bouncer in hopes of stopping a violent gang, working for crime boss Brandt (Billy Magnussen), from destroying her beloved bar. Even five to one, Brandt’s crew is no match for Dalton’s skills. But the stakes get higher with the arrival of ruthless gun-for-hire, Knox (Conor McGregor). As the brutal brawls and bloodshed escalate, the tropical Keys prove more dangerous than anything Dalton ever faced in the Octagon. Director: Doug Liman Story by: Anthony Bagarozzi & Charles Mondry and David Lee Henry Producer: Joel Silver, p.g.a. Executive Producers: JJ Hook, Alison Winter, Aaron Auch, Audie Attar Genre: Action Rated: R for violence throughout, pervasive language and some nudity
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Posted By Corporate Gray,
Friday, March 15, 2024
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Posted By ROA Staff,
Friday, March 15, 2024
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ROA’s commitment to relentlessly representing readiness on Capitol Hill has recaptured the attention of lawmakers and staff serving the House and Senate Veterans Affairs Committees. After submitting its draft Delivering Reservist Integration and Veterans Education (DRIVE) Act to committee staff earlier this month, ROA was invited to provide in-person testimony at a hearing scheduled for next Tuesday, March 20, at 10:30 a.m. EST and for the 2025 joint-Veterans Affairs Committee hearing (date TBD). ROA was also asked to submit a written statement for the record for this year’s joint-Committee hearing, which will be published by March 28. ROA has accepted each invitation to testify and submit our views on issues specific to retirees and veterans of the reserve components and their families. “ROA thanks the leadership, members, and staff of the House and Senate Veterans Affairs Committees for their trust in our ability to represent reserve issues and positively influence the policy process,” said ROA’s executive director, retired Army Maj. Gen. Jeffrey E. Phillips. “All too often, military and veterans’ law and policy are developed without an understanding of the distinctions between reserve and active duty service. The members of the Reserve and National Guard invariably lose out. And so, too, their families. ROA’s revitalization has recaptured interest in issues impacting reserve components members past and present and their families. ROA looks forward to sustaining this attention to bring even more improvements to the lives of citizen-warriors and their families.” ROA has also increased awareness of reserve component issues with other congressional committee members and staff, including those on armed services and appropriations. On March 14, for example, ROA submitted a statement for the record for the Senate Committee on Finance urging support for restoring $28 million in FY 2025 funding for the USPHS Ready Reserve Corps. Without this funding, the RRC program that ROA fought to establish via the CARES Act will be eliminated. “The USPHS RRC program, endorsed by 12 former and acting Surgeons General, is part of a substantial modernization effort to enhance the USPHS’ capabilities and support the medical readiness of its uniformed services counterparts,” executive director Phillips wrote in ROA’s statement. “As such, ROA urges your support for rapidly replenishing the response capabilities of the UPSHS Commissioned Corps and Total Force medical corps by restoring the USPHS RRC program with $28 million in funding for FY 2025 and codifying S.2297, the Parity for Public Health Service Ready Reserve Act, in public law.”
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Posted By By Maj. Gen. Jeffrey E. Phillips, US Army (Retired),
Thursday, February 29, 2024
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Written for The American College of National Security Leaders
Americans are witnessing history, a fight in Washington that could either prevent or encourage outbreak of world war that could consume their children and threaten our nation. Sound like hyperbole? In 1938, much of the nation was oblivious to the threat rising in Europe and Asia that did shortly lead to world war. World wars are not “things of the past.”
“As the United States Congress fails to sustain support for Ukraine, North Korea, China, and Iran are expanding their support for Russia. The abandonment of Kyiv would be a gift to the Moscow–Tehran–Beijing–Pyongyang axis of aggressors,” said one of the nation’s few authentic strategic voices, retired Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster, former national security advisor as the congressional deal to fund Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan foundered amid infighting.
“Allies and partners would lose trust in America as those aggressors are emboldened. The result could be cascading conflicts even more costly than the interconnected wars in Ukraine and across the Middle East. It is past time for Congress to make the right choice.”
The single most important responsibility of the federal government is the security of the nation. McMaster, in unvarnished terms correctly identified the growing threat to our security – and by “security” one might substitute “way of life”: the rise of enemies with the power alone or combined to end that way of life.
Illegal immigration, important as it is, disruptive and destructive as it has become along the border and elsewhere, is not an existential danger to the nation. A war precipitated by Russian expansionism, or a Tehran or a North Korea, which creates the opening, for example, for Beijing to launch across the Taiwan Strait, could easily, so easily, launch world war. The combinations are dizzying, and the potential of their occurrence increases with American withdrawal from the scene.
The squabble in Washington must end; Congress and the President must place their priority on national security; if that means that immigration or any other issue takes a second-row seat, so be it.
The bill now facing defeat would fund military aid for Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan. Israel is a staunch ally. In its justified fight to defeat Hamas, Prime Minister Netanyahu has mismanaged the war with unnecessary brutality. That does not moot Israel’s need to subdue the threat to its existence. Long after Netanyahu is gone, there will be an Israel and we will need it as an ally in a portion of the world that was, is, and for the foreseeable future, will be unstable and dangerous.
Ukraine’s pluck and performance have won it admiration. Whether that luster will outlive its current president, Ukraine is destroying Russian military capability and eroding Putin’s power, reducing Putin’s options to act elsewhere. The Ukrainians are hastening the day when Putin’s advancing age and stalemate will end his reign of terror. Prompted by our example and a belated recognition of their own peril, Europe is finally acting like a responsible power. To end funding and reverse the example will not just prolong Putin’s decline, but, given our yearslong expression of support, be unethical.
While Ukraine is not producing the spectacular triumphs of yesterday, victory in war is never preordained: their fight is showing results and should be sustained. The aid now stalled would fund weapon supplies for Taiwan and allies in the Pacific at a time China is increasingly acting like a nation that considers itself at war.
“Beijing is increasingly combining growing military power with its economic, technological, and diplomatic influence to strengthen CCP rule, secure what it views as its sovereign territory and regional preeminence, and pursue global influence,” according to the 2023 Annual Threat Assessment of the U.S. Intelligence Community. The report continued, “Beijing is accelerating the development of key capabilities that it believes the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) needs to confront the United States in a large-scale, sustained conflict.” A conquered and occupied Taiwan is just one less strategic asset for us. We have committed to Taiwan’s freedom for strategic reasons. What is our word worth?
A significant part of the national security community, including the retired generals, admirals, and ambassadors of the American College of National Security Leaders, as well at the Reserve Organization of America, think that the aid to Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan is vital to U.S. national security. We must not let other priorities, such as immigration, eclipse the first priority. Our leaders in the Congress and the White House must, as does any combat leader, grasp the true priority, look to “1938,” or risk a contemporary version of its reprise.
Maj. Gen. Jeffrey E. Phillips retired in 2016 following 37 years with the U.S. Army. His service includes Desert Shield, Desert Storm, and Iraqi Freedom. He shares in the 1988 Nobel Peace Prize awarded that year to the U.N. Truce Supervision Organization. He directs the Reserve Organization of America and is a fellow at the American College of National Security Leaders.
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