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HONOLULU (April 15, 2013 ) -- The Chief of the Army Reserve, joined by his wife, was greeted with a warm aloha as he visited Hawaii-based Army Reserve Soldiers, families and civilians, here, April 4-11.
Lt. Gen. Jeffrey W. Talley and his wife, Linda, were introduced to hundreds of Reservists in their first-ever meetings with the Soldiers, since taking command.
Talley was also joined by Command Sgt. Maj. James M. Lambert and Command Chief Warrant Officer Five Phyllis Wilson, Army Reserve and U.S. Army Reserve Command.
Talley was visiting Hawaii as part of a Pacific engagement tour, during which he conducted town hall meetings with Soldiers of the 9th Mission Support Command, U.S. Army Pacific and the U.S. Pacific Command.
Throughout the week, he addressed hot topics for Soldiers such as the future of the Reserve, sequestration and cutbacks, and the integration of multiple-component units.
Despite concerns of the Soldiers, Talley was able to instill confidence and explained that the prevailing sentiment of the country's leaders is that the Army Reserve is sized just right and isn't in need of cutbacks.
Both Lambert and Wilson made further comments to the Soldiers on the subject and encouraged them to maintain a high-level of discipline to ensure career sustainment, in case a decrease in troops were to ever occur.
Talley said he is using his command time to implement improvements that will benefit all Soldiers, across every component -- from the Reserves and National Guard to active duty.
"What I am trying to do is find where we can grow the capability and where it would be most beneficial for all," said Talley.
Talley explained leaders are trying to make better use of multi-component units by combining forces and streamlining military activities.
"The processes in how we track our Soldiers and process their pay weren't integrated before, but that is all changing," said Talley. "General (Raymond T.) Odierno (chief of staff of the Army) believes multi-compo units are the way of the future, and I believe we'll see more and more in the days to come."
Talley's resounding message to all the Soldiers was to keep a positive outlook on the future and to continue to do their best.
"It's a good time to be a part of our Army, and it's a great time to be a part of our Army Reserve," said Talley.
As the Commanding General, U.S. Army Reserve Command, Talley oversees all Army Reserve troops in the Continental U.S. and has administrative control over the Reserve troops overseas, with a total strength of 205,000 Soldiers and more than 12,000 civilians.
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