ROA Builds International Reserve Partnerships at UPORFA

Reserve officers and military leaders from Argentina, Canada, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay, and the United States met in Buenos Aires last month for the 2026 UPORFA International Congress to exchange regional experiences and consider how Reserve forces can contribute to hemispheric security. ROA coordinated U.S. participation, providing a connection between our Reserve community and professionals serving across the Americas.

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Join Us Next Week for ROA's Reserve Excellence Celebration!

We hope to see you next Friday, October 16th, for our 2026 Reserve Excellence Celebration at the National Museum of the United States Army, an evening dedicated to recognizing the outstanding service and achievements of America’s Reserve Component. Registration is required by Thursday, October 8th. Sponsorship opportunities are also available.

Register or Sponsor Now>>>

How Are You Spending Your 22 Days of Service?

ROA’s 22 Days of Service is happening now through October 22nd! This year, we have four ways to serve: supporting veterans through Veterans Last Patrol, spreading the word on hiring Guard and Reserve members through VetJobs, gathering RC veteran stories through the Library of Congress Veterans History Project (VHP), and ROA Department and Chapter-specific projects. If your Chapter or Department is interested in helping others tell their stories via the VHP, please contact Steve Minyard (sminyard@roa.org) for more details and instructions.

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October RC Forums Webinar: Medical Care After Duty

Join ROA staff and special guests from Cognitive FX on October 13th at 7pm ET for our next ReserveConnect virtual webinar as we lean forward into getting medical care once the uniform is off: Line of Duty investigations, getting care post-mobilization, then diving into the types of injuries most common to our Reserve Component members in CENTCOM - concussion and Traumatic Brain Injuries. 

Join the Meeting>>>

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Team ROA Takes on the Army Ten-Miler

Cheer on Team ROA as our runners take on the Army Ten-Miler on October 11th, raising funds to support ROA’s mission and the Reserve community! Kick off race weekend with ROA, wear blue: run to remember, and Whiskey Valor Foundation at our October 10th Shakeout Run at ROA Headquarters. Runners and supporters of all levels are welcome!

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Thank You to All of our REC Sponsors!

We appreciate all of our generous sponsors and longtime partners who are helping to make this year’s Reserve Excellence Celebration possible! A special thank you to AMBA, one of ROA’s longest-standing supporters, for its continued partnership and generous support. We also thank Whiskey Valor Foundation, Oxford Harriman & Co., AmeriCorps, and the leadership of ROA’s Departments of New York and Virginia for helping make this special evening possible. 

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ROA and MCRA Joint Advocacy Day

On September 14th, ROA and MCRA brought nearly 50 attendees from the Air Force Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, and PHS Ready Reserve Corps to Capitol Hill for close to 60 congressional meetings. ROA and MCRA presented their priorities, from Duty Status Reform to equipment funding and PHS Ready Reserve parity, while Reservists shared their service and experiences. The day yielded valuable insight on ROA's priorities and marked the debut of ROA's in-house Advocacy Day portal.

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FY 2027 NDAA Conference Campaign

With House and Senate negotiators beginning to reconcile their versions of the FY 2027 NDAA, ROA has met with Armed Services Committee staff in both chambers and launched a conferee education and advocacy campaign. ROA has submitted its Conference Position Matrix to the Hill, laying out its positions on Duty Status Reform, aeromedical evacuation, travel reimbursement, Selected Reserve dental readiness, and more. ROA enters conference well postured but cautiously optimistic.

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Shop the New ROA ReserveStore Now!

ROA has a new online store for ROA-branded clothing and unique items to show your support for America’s Guard and Reserve service members. Need a hat, shirt, pullover, or that “drill pay” scented candle you’ve always dreamed of? We’ve got you covered, and more! We need your feedback too - what else should we sell? Contact Steve Minyard (sminyard@roa.org) with ideas. 

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ROA Leaders: We Still Need Your Help to Connect YOU to Your Members!

Thank you to all of our Department and Chapter members who sent us information about their local ROA Department/Chapter website, social media page, or email so we could add it to the new Department and Chapter page on our website! We are still missing a lot of local contact information, so please check the page to see if your Department or Chapter has a link. If it doesn’t, please email your Department or Chapter’s website, social media page, or email address information to webmaster@roa.org so we can get it added!

Department & Chapter Page>>>

NCOs & POs: We Need Your Help to Build our New NCO Academy

Calling all Reserve Noncommissioned Officers and Petty Officers! ROA is writing curriculum for a Reserve Component-specific NCO Academy. Topics will include an overview of the Guard and Reserve forces; a deep dive into pay, benefits, and transition; an online wargame teaching the basics of mobilization; maintaining fitness off duty; the art and science of leading during and after drill; and resources to enhance your subordinate’s Reserve service. If you would like to help write, present during online training, or have ideas on new topics, contact Steve Minyard, ROA’s Program Director, at sminyard@roa.org. 

Mark Your Calendars for ROA's 2026 & 2027 Annual Meetings

ROA's virtual 2026 Annual Meeting is coming up on October 17th from 1:30-3pm ET via Zoom. Details about the October meeting were emailed to ROA Department leaders in September; you can also find more information on our website Calendar. Our 2027 Annual Meeting will be held in person at ROA Headquarters in Washington, D.C., on March 11-14, 2027. Questions? Please contact Diane Markham at dmarkham@roa.org.

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Explore Graduate Business Opportunities at Johns Hopkins

ROA members are invited to join Johns Hopkins Carey Business School on October 13th at noon ET for a virtual webinar highlighting graduate business programs designed for working professionals. Learn more about Carey’s flexible MBA, Executive MBA, Design Leadership MA/MBA, and part-time master’s programs, as well as opportunities to advance your career while balancing professional and personal commitments.

Register Now>>>

The Value of Reserve Talent: More Than One Professional Perspective

Reserve members bring a unique advantage to the civilian workforce: experience developed across both military service and civilian careers. In this guest article, ROA partner RecruitMilitary explores how Reservists’ leadership, adaptability, continued professional growth, and diverse perspectives can make them especially valuable to employers.

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Join Operation Motorsport 2026 at the Veterans Race of Remembrance

Join Operation Motorsport and ROA at the CrowdStrike Veterans Race of Remembrance Powered by AWS on November 6–8, 2026, at the VIRginia International Raceway. This special race weekend honors service and sacrifice while helping veterans find renewed purpose, healing, and camaraderie through motorsports. Veterans, military families, and supporters can learn more about Operation Motorsport's mission to help medically retiring or retired service members recover through motorsports. 

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ReserveConnect Partner Highlight: AAFES

Our partners at AAFES offer every honorably discharged veteran, including Guard and Reserve veterans, free online shopping. Note that proof of your discharge will need to state a characterization of service, and proof includes, but is not exclusive to, a DD214 (or DD214-1). (AAFES is aware that most RC veterans who separated prior to 2025 did not receive a DD214.) Reserve veterans with a service-connected disability rating can also shop at physical Post and Base Exchanges using your Veterans Health Identification Card.