The Officer - Fall 2016 - 55

four Marines by the actions of a committed enemy who caught us by surprise. The attack in Chattanooga demonstrated that now we have to be hypervigilant in our homeland. Last year, Marine Forces Reserve accomplished many objectives. Your Marines did this through teamwork and dedication. From deployments in far-off northern lands to sunny tropic scenes-and even some desert locales-Marine Forces Reserve demonstrated the ability to rapidly plan, deploy and return to home sites successfully and safely. During 2015, we also bid farewell to Lt. Gen. Richard Mills and Mrs. Mills and hailed the arrival of Lt. Gen. Rex McMillian and Mrs. McMillian. For the first time, we had our Reserve Career Planner of the Year recognized at the Commandant of the Marine Corps' Annual Awards program. Though proud of our successes in 2015, we cannot rest on our laurels. As our 37th commandant is fond of saying, "Let's go do this." That attitude and approach is the beacon for Marine Forces Reserve this year. Our commander wants our Reserve Marines not just deployable, but employable, meaning everyone is fully prepared mentally, physically, spiritually and financially to mobilize and deploy in support of whatever mission they are assigned to accomplish. They must be ready to fight tonight. Our commandant and sergeant major of the Marine Corps wants every Marine to "Protect What You Have Earned." Your Marines earned the coveted title of "United States Marine." They have earned this title through blood, sweat and tears. The honor of this title, however, carries incredible responsibility. Your Marines must always do the right thing, at the right time, for the right reasons. They are Marines 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year. This year is truly special for Marine Forces Reserve. The centennial of the Marine Corps Reserve is upon us, which gives us an opportunity to look back on 100 years of warfighting excellence and service. The centennial will be our chance to show America what Marine Forces Reserve is all about and to demonstrate to the American public that we will be "always faithful." These will be my last comments to ROA. I am off to be the command senior enlisted leader for the U.S. Pacific Command. I deeply appreciate the direct and superlative efforts by ROA to improve and enhance the lives of our most precious assets-the incredible men and women who wear the cloth of our nation. Your work will ensure we have a future that our children will be able to inherit. I would like to introduce my successor, Sgt. Maj. Lynn Kimble. I know Sgt. Maj. Kimble is fully prepared to lead, mentor and inspire the Marines and sailors of Marine Forces Reserve. Your Marine Corps Reserve will continue to be "always faithful" to our nation, our corps, our communities, our families and, most importantly, to each other. FORCE MASTER CHIEF CLARENCE 'CJ' MITCHELL Navy Reserve For the past year, I have traveled across the country and around the world, speaking with Reserve sailors, their families and their employers. In nearly 30 years, I have never seen Navy Reserve professionalism and morale higher. I am proud to report that nearly 60,000 Navy Reserve sailors continue to serve in all 50 states and two territories and stand ready to contribute to mission success to support the Navy commander and combatant commanders around the world. Since 9/11, there have been more than 76,000 Selected Reserve mobilizations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and the Global War on Terrorism. Navy Reserve sailors contribute daily to operations around the globe, from combat medical missions in Afghanistan and Africa to law enforcement in El Salvador. They have handled cargo in ports around the world and performed high-value escort missions in contiguous United States ports. They have made real-time contributions in the information dominance domain and provided 100 percent of the aviation intratheater operational and expeditionary logistics support for the Navy and combatant commanders. I am most proud of these sailors and their continued desire to serve their country and their Navy in the wake of the tragic THE OFFICER / FALL 2016 55

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Officer - Fall 2016