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.

For information on Centennial events, as well as the history and heritage of
the Navy Reserve, please visit www.navyreservecentennial.com.

To view the Navy Reserve history video, please go to
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RasZBIPmouw.

For more information:
Cmdr. Charlie Summers, Office of the Chief of Navy Reserve, Public Affairs
Officer
(703) 614-1094 office
(207) 252-8121 cell
charles.summers@navy.mil