MG Lesniak discusses Army Reserve future in Puerto Rico

By Maj. Carlos M. Cuebas, 1st MSC PAOJuly 23, 2013

MG Lesniak visits Puerto Rico
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Maj. Gen. Glenn J. Lesniak, United States Army Reserve Deputy Commanding General for Support, visited the Army Reserve troops in the island during his visit to Fort Buchanan, June 14-16. During his time in the US territory, Lesniak participated in s... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
MG Lesniak visits Puerto Rico
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Maj. Gen. Glenn J. Lesniak, United States Army Reserve Deputy Commanding General for Support, visited the Army Reserve troops in the island during his visit to Fort Buchanan, June 14-16. During his time in the US territory, Lesniak participated in s... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
MG Lesniak visits Puerto Rico
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Gen. Glenn J. Lesniak, United States Army Reserve Deputy Commanding General for Support, visited the Army Reserve troops in the island during his visit to Fort Buchanan, June 14-16. During his time in the US territory, Lesniak participated in severa... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Fort Buchanan, PR- Maj. Gen. Glenn J. Lesniak, United States Army Reserve Deputy Commanding General for Support, visited the Army Reserve troops in the island during his visit to Fort Buchanan, June 14-16.

During his time in the US territory, Lesniak participated in several significant events, such as the 1st Mission Support Command Yearly Training Brief, the Army's Birthday Run, the 2013 Army's Birthday Ball, as well as having a meeting with the Army Reserve-Puerto Rico Ambassadors.

"It's been a pleasure to be here in Puerto Rico. It is great to come back to this beautiful island and get a chance to meet more Puerto Rican Soldiers. I see that patch (Sentry Tower) at every exercise that I go to in the United States," said Lesniak during an interview, referring to the singular 1st Mission Support Command uniform patch, which depicts a Spaniard sentry tower.

The military leader also had the opportunity to reflect about the future of the Army Reserve, which is the largest federal US Army command in the Caribbean.

"The future of the Army Reserve is bright. Our Soldiers and Families have done a tremendous job supporting our active component over these last 12 years of war. Moving forward, we are working to continue solidifying relationships with the combatant commands, so we have an opportunity to stay involved with Theater Security Cooperation (TSC) missions," said Lesniak.

In accordance with the Secretary of Defense Guidance, TSC refers to those activities conducted with allies and friends, to build relationships that promote specific U.S. interests, build allied and friendly capabilities for self-defense and coalition operations and provide U.S. forces with peacetime and contingency access.

According to Lesniak, the United States Army Reserve Command is actively pursuing the proper regional alignment of brigades with the combatant commands.

"One of the initiatives that we are taking is to stand up Army Reserve Engagement Cells on each of the combatant commands, consisting of anywhere from nine to fifteen Active Guard Reserve Soldiers. These troops will be actively involved in the future planning for exercises and for any TSC missions," added Lesniak.

The USAR deputy Commanding General also stated that the Army Reserve is well suited to participate in TSC missions because it is an operational organization, with a solid Armed Forces Generation and progressive readiness model that allows having 28,000 troops available every year.

Lesniak also expressed his personal gratitude to the Families of the Army Reserve-Puerto Rico.

"My personal thanks from both my wife Jane and myself to the Families at home for their support. We appreciate all that the Army Reserve Families have done on behalf of our mission here, during the last 12 years. The Families must know that they are valued and that we can't be successful doing our job, without their total support," said Lesniak.

The US Army Reserve officer also reflected over the readiness level of the Army Reserve-Puerto Rico troops.

"You do a very good job managing resources very well and you definitively provide a huge significant contribution to the success of the Army Reserve," added Lesniak.

The Army Reserve-Puerto Rico currently has over 500 troops mobilized in support of overseas contingency operations in Afghanistan and other countries.

Related Links:

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