By COL (Ret.) Judi Davenport, CIOR U.S. Vice President and Head of Delegation
Reserve members from 25 countries gathered in Bucharest, Romania, August 2-7 for the 2026 Summer Congress of the Interallied Confederation of Reserve Officers (CIOR), alongside the Interallied Confederation of Medical Reserve Officers (CIOMR) and the Interallied Confederation of Reserve Non-Commissioned Officers (CISOR). For the U.S. delegation, the week provided an invaluable international experience through military competition, committee work, and professional development with our allies and partners.
U.S. participation totaled 99 across the three organizations. The CIOR delegation included 40 participants, 23 military competitors, and eight accompanying spouses or family members, for a total of 71. Another 25 participated through CIOMR and three through CISOR. Serving reserve members, retired members, ROA leadership, and families all contributed to the U.S. presence.
ROA is the designated U.S. member organization to CIOR. Its involvement gives our reserve members opportunities to share their military and civilian experience, learn how other nations organize and employ their reserves, and work together on issues of common interest. Committee activities include defense and security issues, civil-military cooperation, strategic communication, legal matters, and military competition. Young Reserve Officers Workshop and Language Academy programs provide additional opportunities for training and development.
Two U.S. military competition teams earned awards in Bucharest. Army Reserve CSM Betty attended as an honorary coach, and senior U.S. leaders observed the competition and committee meetings. MG Vanessa Dornhoefer, Principal Director, Reserve Integration and Military Executive, Reserve Forces Policy Board and BG Greg Buchanan, Director of Plans, Programs, and Requirements for the Air Force Reserve, presented on reserve international programs and engagement with NATO allies and partners, bringing senior leaders together with officers and enlisted members for discussion and feedback from the field.
An excellent symposium at the Parliament Palace addressed narratives as weapons, lessons from the Russia-Ukraine war, and the effects of artificial intelligence, social media, and fake news. These discussions gave participants the opportunity to consider challenges affecting their own services while hearing the experiences of international partners.
ROA National President MG (Ret.) Peggy Wilmoth primarily attended CIOMR events, including the inaugural Reserve Officer Workshop. This mid-career course builds on previous NATO experience and training. Future plans call for a combined program with CIOR, providing Young Reserve Officers Workshop participants a next level of involvement and professional development in the international environment.
We should give as many U.S. reserve members as possible the opportunity to participate through a competitive application process by the services and approval by ROA. Service funding, when available, helps support committee participation. Broader involvement ensures continuity and fresh perspectives while preparing our future leaders.
I can’t thank our U.S. participants enough for their guidance, mentoring, and cooperation. For those considering ROA membership, these programs offer a way to stay involved and contribute to the international reserve community. We are stronger together, and ROA can make a difference on the international front and through strong legislative endeavors.
Learn more about participation opportunities on ROA’s International Programs page.