The Army Reserve celebrated its 100th birthday at Camp Victory with a cake-cutting ceremony and a 5k race.
The ceremony, held Wednesday at the Oasis Dining Facility, highlighted the contributions of the Army Reserve.
"We are celebrating 100 years of continuous service to our nation by the Army Reserve," said Brig. Gen. Robert Hipwell, commanding general, Task Force North, 300th Military Police Brigade. "There have been many of changes in 100 years, but the spirit of the Soldier is consistent."
During Hipwell's 40-year military career he has seen M-14 rifles replaced by M-16s and gone from jumping out of C-119 "Flying Boxcars" to C-17 "Globemaster III's," but the biggest change has come in the form of females in the military.
"There are female military police conducting missions that only males would in World War II," said Hipwell. "They are receiving Combat Action Badges and Purple Hearts just like everyone else."
Whether female or male, Reserve and active duty Soldiers came together as an Army of one Sunday to celebrate and challenge themselves during a 5k Fun Run.
Sgt. Brendan Spellman, imagery analyst, Multi-National Corps - Iraq, was the top finisher with a time of 17 minutes, 29 seconds, and the top female was Spc. Amanda Feia, medic, 851st Medical Engineer Company, with a time of 20 minutes, 57 seconds.
The participants all celebrated by shouting "Happy Birthday Army Reserve" just before the start.
"The reserve components are 55 percent of the Army's end strength and growing," Hipwell said. "Our young Soldiers know what their commitment means before they join and it shows senior military members that the future is in good hands."
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