Here's how you know
 **Official websites use .mil** .mil
 **Secure .mil websites use HTTPS** lock () https://


Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 Toggle navigation
            
            
            
            
            National Guard
                        Always Ready Always There
                    National Guard
            
            Search National Guard:
                        Search
                    Search
                        Search National Guard:
                            Search
    Home

    News
    
        Guard News

    Overseas Operations

    State Partnership Program

    News Features

    RSS Feeds

    Press Releases

    Transcripts

    Features
    
        Features by Year

    Posture Statement

    State Partnership Program

    Special Features

    About the Guard
    
        How We Began

    Air National Guard

    Army National Guard    
    
        DEERS Soldier Journey

    Leader Development Program

    History and Heritage

    I am the Guard

    NGB Official March

    Leadership
    
        CNGB

    VCNGB

    SEA

    DANG

    DARNG

    Joint Staff    
    
        J-1

    J-2

    J-3

    J-4

    J-5

    J-6

    J-7

    J-8

    Personal Staff    
    
        Inspector General

    General Counsel    
    
        Special Victims Counsel

    Public Affairs

    Executive Support Services

    Legislative Liaison

    Special Staff    
    
        Office of the Provost Marshal

    Office of the Joint Surgeon

    Director of Acquisitions

    Small Business Programs

    Chaplain

    Senior Leader Management Office

    Diversity Equity Inclusion

    Comptroller

    Resources    
        National Defense Strategy Implementation Guidance

    Community Engagement

    FOIA

    Fact Sheets

    Helpful Links

    Image Gallery
    
        News Images

    Graphics

    Historical Paintings

    Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

    Legislative Liaison

    Small Business Programs

    Social Media

    State Websites

    Videos    
    
        Featured Videos

    On Every Front

    2019 Videos

    2020 Videos

    2021 Videos

    Suicide Prevention

    Family Programs

    Environmental

    Trial Defense Service

    Holistic Wellness Challenge

    Contact Us  Home
  News
  Article View
 
 Download
 Details
 Share
 NEWS
 Army Chief of Staff issues instructions for Guard, Reserve Soldiers demobilizing over holidays By U.S. Army report
                U.S. Army
 ARLINGTON, Va. - Army Chief of Staff Gen. Raymond Odierno issued instructions Wednesday regarding reserve component Soldiers who will be demobilizing at bases in the United States over the holidays. "Our Guard and Reserve Soldiers sacrifice so much for our country and they are an indispensible part of the Army team," Odierno told a group of the Army's most senior uniformed leaders at the Pentagon. With the continuing drawdown in Iraq and normal unit rotations from Afghanistan, thousands of Guard and Reserve units are expected to out-process through six demobilization sites between now and early January. "I know that after a long deployment these Soldiers just want to get home as soon as possible, Odierno said."However, it must be balanced with a complete and thorough demobilization process. We will ensure that our returning Citizen-Soldiers are provided the opportunity to take a four-day pass over the holidays, and the chance to the spend the holidays with local families near our demobilization sites for those that are far from home." Odierno directed Lt. Gen. William Ingram Jr., the director of the Army National Guard and Lt. Gen. Jack Stultz, chief of the Army Reserve, to review their plans to ensure Soldiers at the demobilization sites receive the pass opportunity, or, if Soldiers choose not to take a pass, that they have opportunities to participate in holiday activities on post or with local families. Ingram acknowledged the direction and agreed with Odierno. "We realize that being back on U.S. soil at a mobilization center is not the same thing as being home for the holidays for our Guard Soldiers," Ingram said. "We appreciate the continued sacrifices our Soldiers and their families are making in spending one more holiday apart from each other, and we will do what we can to allow them to take advantage of a pass or otherwise enjoy the holidays where they are. Stultz expressed his appreciation for the Army Chief of Staff's focus on this matter. "We appreciate the Army's focus on supporting Army Reserve Soldiers as they return to the states and begin the demobilization process," Stultz said. "Our Soldiers understand the challenges of demobilization and will comply with the 1st Army and installation requirements at each site." "If that includes a four-day pass to be with their families,"Stultz said, "then I can think of no better way to celebrate the holidays. We're just glad they have arrived safely home." The Army executes a detailed program at the demobilization site for RC Soldiers when they return from a deployment. According to Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Peter Chiarelli, this process is essential and cannot be cut short. "We owe it to all Soldiers who serve," he said. "And, that includes our Guard and Reserve Soldiers - to ensure they are properly evaluated and receive the care and support they require upon redeploying. "We recognize they want to get home to their loved ones as quickly as possible; but, their short- and long-term health and well-being is our top priority." "We certainly try to avoid bringing Soldiers to the demobilization centers over the holidays, but in some cases it's simply not possible," Chiarelli said. Army officials at the demobilization sites are currently working with local authorities to identify families that would be willing to host Soldiers over the holidays.
 SHARE
 PRINT
 
 North Carolina Guard Welcomes New Zambian State Partnership
 By Lt. Col. Ellis Parks,
  Vermont Army Guard Soldiers Attend Brazilian Mountain School
 By Sgt. Denis Nunez,
  Idaho Air Guard Conducts Panther Shadow Exercise
 By Senior Master Sgt. Joshua Allmaras,
  More
 Idaho Air Guard Conducts Panther Shadow Exercise5/3/2024Massachusetts Guard Helps Host Crisis Leadership Seminar5/2/2024Massachusetts Air Guard Airmen Test New Air Combat Tactics5/2/2024 View more Guard News »
 Vermont Army Guard Soldiers Attend Brazilian Mountain School5/3/2024
New York Army Guard Soldiers Heading to North Africa4/30/2024
Pennsylvania National Guard Members Deploy to Africa4/19/2024 View more Overseas Operations News »
 North Carolina Guard Welcomes New Zambian State Partnership5/3/2024

Guard Leaders Stress NCOs Role in State Partnership Program5/3/2024

Enduring Partners 2024 Begins with Thai-US Airmen Exchange5/2/2024 View more State Partnership Program News »
 Back-to-school tools for military families8/11/2015DoD sends blended military retirement proposal to Congress6/16/2015First employment symposium held for National Guard spouses5/11/2015 View more Family Programs News »
 Home
 Site Map
 Privacy & Security Policy
 Link Disclaimer
 Web Policy
 DOD Information Quality
 DOD Open GovernmentFOIA
 No FEAR Act
 Accessibility/Section 508
 Contact Us
 Army Guard Careers
 Air Guard Careers
 USA.gov
                    
Staying Connected
    XYouTubeFlickrFacebookInstagram
                 
                
                

Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil