United States Army Reserve facts for kids

The United States Army Reserve is a special part of the United States Army. It's made up of people who are soldiers part-time. This means they also have a regular job or career outside of the military. The Army Reserve is one of two main reserve forces for the U.S. Army, the other being the Army National Guard.

History of the Army Reserve

The Army Reserve started a long time ago, in 1908. At first, it was created to provide extra medical officers for the Army. These were doctors and other health professionals who could help out when needed.

After the First World War, the U.S. government decided to make some big changes to its land forces. In 1920, a law called the National Defence Act was passed. This law created three main parts for the Army:

• The Regular Army (full-time soldiers)
• The National Guard (state-based soldiers who can also be called to serve nationally)
• The Organized Reserve

The Organized Reserve was made up of two groups: the Officers Reserve Corps and the Enlisted Reserve Corps. This group was designed to be a large pool of trained people who could be called upon if the country needed more soldiers. Over time, this Organized Reserve became what we know today as the Army Reserve.

What the Army Reserve Does

People in the Army Reserve train regularly, usually one weekend a month and two weeks a year. This training helps them keep their skills sharp. When there is a need, they can be called upon to serve full-time, either at home or in other countries. They do many different jobs, from engineering and medical support to transportation and communications.

The Army Reserve plays a very important role. It helps the U.S. Army have enough trained people ready for any situation, without having to keep a huge number of full-time soldiers all the time. This way, the country can respond quickly to emergencies or conflicts around the world.

Images for kids

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  U.S. Army Reserve Sgt. Maj. Robert Payne teaches a U.S. Navy Midshipman how to shoot properly in June 2005.

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  Reserve psychological operations soldiers hand out school supplies to children in Iraq.

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  Special boat crew members attach a naval special warfare 11-meter rigid-hull inflatable boat to an Army Reserve CH-47 Chinook helicopter.