Meet the Reserves
An Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircrew flies into Hurricane Douglas on July 24, 2020.
We celebrate Veterans Day on Wednesday, Nov. 11. Veterans Day honors both living and dead veterans of the armed services.
This week, The Mini Page salutes the reserve branches of the military: the warrior-citizens who step in to help active-duty service members when needed.
Reserve support
All branches of the military — the Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, Marine Corps and Navy — have reserve branches. Many reservists are former active-duty troops.
A monthly job
Usually, reservists work part-time, just one weekend a month and two weeks in the summer. Sometimes, such as in wartime, they are called upon to be full-time. They might fill active-duty positions when those soldiers go to war.
The president of the U.S. is the commander in chief of reserve units. They answer to the federal, or national, government.
The Army Reserve:
• established in 1908
• about 200,000 reservists
• more than 1,200 medical professionals deployed in response to COVID-19
The Navy Reserve:
• established in 1915
• about 60,000 reservists
• careers include rescue operations and disarming explosives
The Marine Corps Reserve:
• established in 1916
• about 38,500 reservists
• operates 160 training centers around the United States
The Coast Guard Reserve:
• founded in 1941
• about 7,000 Guard members
• protects America’s waterways and ports
The Air Force Reserve:
• established in 1948
• about 82,000 airmen
• works in air and space flight and in cyberspace
The National Guard is another branch of service. Each governor serves as commander in chief of the guard units in his or her state. They can be called to federal service by the president.