ROA’s defense fellow, Zoe Wertlieb, describes the beginning of her advocacy journey with ROA and the power of participation in the legislative process. 
 
The first few weeks of my journey with ROA were exhilarating, to say the least. From day one, I was thrown into the fire, researching the need to expand toxic exposure relief for a roundtable discussion with Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and other members of Congress. 
 
Accompanying legislation and military policy director, Matthew Schwartzman, to the roundtable, the Capitol building felt less like a historic landmark and more a place of business for ROA and our nation’s elected officials.  
 
At the roundtable, Schwartzman addressed the need to ensure veterans of the Reserve and National Guard have adequate access to service-earned healthcare and benefits. 
 
“The eligibility criteria for VA healthcare and benefits does not reflect the modern-day battle rhythm of reserve component service,” said Schwartzman. “That’s why ROA urges support for a VA reserve component task force dedicated to identifying systemic gaps in accessibility and putting forward recommendations to close those gaps.” 
 
This experience altered my perception of Capitol Hill and the legislative process at-large. 
 
It was clear that everyone was eager to be there, advocating to improve the lives of those that served the nation honorably. As I watched each service organization representative voice the challenges faced by their members, my eyes were opened to all that is possible through advocacy and the true power of the Capitol.  
 
This is the place where ideas become realities. 
 
Just a few days later, I had a pivotal moment of realization. I am used to having discussions with my friends, expressing wishes to address various issues through legislative means.  
 
But during an ordinary conversation with my colleagues at ROA, I was reminded that every effort, no matter how seemingly small, positively impacts the readiness of the force and lives of servicemembers and military families. 
 
As I reflect on my first few weeks with ROA, I am grateful. As I look forward to the future, I am excited to complete ROA’s defense fellow program and take the lessons I learn to my next journey in life.  

Read Zoe’s biography here.

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Retired Army Maj. Gen. Peggy Wilmoth, PhD, RN, will begin a prestigious yearlong fellowship in September. 

Wilmoth, active in ROA’s leadership in her role as chair of the association’s Health Service Committee, has been a champion of adequate funding for military nurse researchers and their training.

“General Wilmoth is among ROA’s strongest leaders,” said ROA’s executive director, Jeff Phillips. “She gives unselfishly of her limited time with a demanding career to further ROA’s cause of reserve component readiness, with an emphasis on our uniformed health care providers. We congratulate her on this latest well-earned recognition and its potential to enhance health care among military families.”

Click here for full news release.

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CIOR US VP Col. James R. Sweeney II (right) represents the US during the council meeting in Helsinki, June 26. Behind Sweeney are CIOR US Assistant Secretary General Lt. Col. Milt Houghton, USA (Ret.), PhD. Col. Judi Davenport, USA (Ret.), past national ROA president, is to his left. Click image above for ROA 2023 CIOR Summer Congress album and caption information on Flickr.

Against the backdrop of Russia’s nearby aggression against Ukraine—the brunt of which has been borne by Ukraine’s reservists—nearly one hundred U.S. delegates and delegates at large descended upon Helsinki, Finland, for the 2023 Summer Congress of the Interallied Confederation of Reserve Officers (CIOR), the Interallied Confederation of Medical Reserve Officers (CIOMR), and the Interallied Confederation of Non-Commissioned Officers (CISOR).

Newest and thirty-first NATO member Finland and the Finnish Reserve Officers’ Federation, assisted by the Finnish Defense Forces, along with the Estonian Reserve Officers’ Association, hosted the Congress. Estonia currently holds the CIOR presidency.

This Congress, during which CIOR celebrated its 75th and CISOR its 60th anniversaries, focused on contemporary warfare, national resilience and will in the face of prolonged crisis, best practices, and a reservist-based model for national defense.

The U.S. delegation was led by the VP US, Col. James Sweeney, USMC (Ret.). In attendance were ROA’s national president, Capt. Bob Carmack, USCG (Ret.) and immediate past president, Col. Judi Davenport, USA (Ret.). Following the Congress, Davenport will begin serving her term as the CIOR VP US, followed by Carmack.

While last minute issues prevented the attendance of Chief of Army Reserve Lt. Gen. Jody Daniels, she was ably represented by Command Sgt. Maj. Andrew Lombardo, by Maj. Gen. W. Scott Lynn, commanding general of the Army Reserve Medical Command, and by others.

The delegates, from some thirty-three member and partner countries, enjoyed a video greeting from honorary “CIOR President for Life” Maj. Gen. Evan “Curly” Hultman, USA (Ret.). CIOR president, Lt. Col. Toomas Luman, of Estonia, later presented Hultman an honorary CIOR badge, and the 75th Anniversary Medal with accompanying certificates, which Sweeney accepted on Hultman's behalf.

President Luman also presented VP US Sweeney with a 75th Anniversary Medal and the gold President’s Medal. Six teams represented team USA in the 30-team Military Competition (MILCOMP), comprising shooting, NATO land obstacle course, utility swimming and orienteering (including a surprise paint-ball shooting component), as well as graded combat medical assistance and law of armed conflict exam; and surprise events including carrying land mines and cross-country skiing (on rollerblades).

Notably, the ROA Department of New Jersey, led by its president and national Executive Committee member Lt. Col. McKinley Williams, USA (Ret.), supported team USA during their training at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in May.

In addition to hosting a BBQ for the team, the department donated $500 for team shirts, which were proudly worn during the competition held on Santhamina military island located near downtown Helsinki. The congress was visited by tragedy when long-time CIOMR medical observer Col. Walter Henny, of the Netherlands, died after falling off a platform while judging MILCOMP. His death was mourned with a moving tribute at the closing gala, and ROA adds its deepest sympathy and condolences to Walter’s family and many friends in CIOR and CIOMR, including close friend and CIOMR VP US Col. Lewis Neace, USAF (Ret.).

The 13th annual CIOR Civil-Military Exercise (CIMEX), organized by the CIOR Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) Committee was another highlight. This CIMEX was a two-day tabletop exercise focusing on war fighting and field issues, international and non-governmental organizations operating in Ukraine.

More than seventy-five young officers from eleven countries, including twenty-two from the US, spent the week receiving lectures and participating in workshops at the Young Reserve Officers Workshop (YROW) plan and led by members of CIOR's Young Reserve Officer Committee. Hundreds of participants attended the annual CIOR Symposium, which focused on reducing vulnerabilities.

Despite informative presentations from members of the European Parliament, flag and general officers, and leading academicians, the highlight was the presentation from Ukrainian Lt. Col. Vladyslav Tychyna on the cooperation between civilian and military personnel in his war-torn country.

In addition to observing the opening ceremony and joining in the opening reception and closing gala dinner, the delegates and delegates-at-large were treated to guided tours at the Suomenlinna historic fortress and the picturesque town of Porvoo.

Summer Congress 2023 served the CIOR/CIOMR purposes of forging links between reserve officers, sharing best practices, developing viewpoints on reserve issues in support of NATO, and fostering reserve officer professional development.

Hard work remains as CIOR continues to strengthen its ties with and support of NATO, including the National Reserve Forces Committee, to advocate for Sweden’s full membership in NATO, and to strengthen CIOR’s membership and streamline its structure during these tumultuous times.

Next up will be the annual CIOR Language Academy—a two-week immersive study of operational English and French—in the UK in July, followed by the CIOR in-between meeting in Stockholm in November.

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On June 12, legislation and military policy director, Matthew Schwartzman, briefed the Air Force Reserve Advisory Council on ROA’s policy priorities for the 118th Congress at the pentagon.

The Council, led by Maj. Gen. Vanessa Dornhoefer, is a professional development board that works to address issues within the Department of Defense by advising the Chief of the Air Force Reserve and makes recommendations to Headquarters Air Force Reserve staff on policy issues impacting reserve component service members. 

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ROA advocates for additions to USERRA at congressional hearing

ROA’s legislation and military policy director, Matthew Schwartzman, testified June 14 before Congress on the need to ensure reserve component servicemembers and military spouses are afforded effective employment and reemployment protections under the law. Read and watch via interactive position paper here.

On June 14, ROA Director of Legislation and Military Policy Matthew Schwartzman answers a question from Chairman Van Orden on the need to ensure that courts cannot award a prejudgment interest rate that is lower than what is offered at the state level. (Source: Screen from House of Representatives video)

On June 3, President Biden signed the Fiscal Relief Act. This is the bipartisan government spending compromise that ensured the U.S. would not default on its debt. Unfortunately, there was a provision that takes 84 million dollars from the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps.

This funding was used to support the USPHS Ready Reserve program and provide necessary training for the whole Corps. ROA is leading the fight to replenish the money lost and provide a permanent funding source for the USPHS moving forward.

Call to Action: Join ROA’s Minuteman Movement and write your elected officials to save the USPHS Ready Reserve, click here. 

ROA announces support for Pay Our Coast Guard Parity Act

Recently, Reps. Hillary Scholten and Jennifer Gonzalez-Colon introduced the Pay Our Coast Guard Parity Act. Aligned with ROA Resolutions 21-17 and 19-07, this legislation ensures that members of the U.S. Coast Guard are compensated for their work during government shutdowns. In 2019, the Coast Guard was the only branch of the armed forces not compensated while on duty during the shutdown. This left more than 6,000 reservists working without pay.

Call to Action: Join ROA’s Minuteman Movement and write your elected officials in support of the Pay Our Coast Guard Parity Act, please click here.