Who We Are
About ROA » Who We Are
Vision 29 is Underway.
Under this initiative, we will be focusing on four key areas:
CHAMPION THE RESERVE
ROA is the premier RC voice. Through advocacy and education, ROA shapes RC policy, statute and national security integration.
EMPOWER THE MEMBER
ROA delivers modern and relevant value to every member and their families with the tools, support, and development needed to thrive in service and civilian life.
STRENGTHEN THE INSTITUTION
ROA communicates an appealing/modern, compelling, credible, distinctive, and authoritative voice for the RC.
SECURE THE FUTURE
ROA’s long-term strength ensured through disciplined governance, diversified revenue, and aligned staffing.
An ROA revitalizing for its second century is an opportunity for new members to help shape the new ROA. You helped make history in uniform, now help make the new ROA!
ROA'S "A CENTURY OF SERVICE TO AMERICA":
The history and continued service to America's Reserve force and the nation's military readiness
With its unequaled credibility on America’s Reserve Components, ROA is a powerful advocate in Congress, the Pentagon and VA, and policymaker offices throughout Washington. ROA leads the nation’s efforts to ensure the Reserve Components are strong and ready, and Reserve Compoinent families are well cared for.
“I’m joining ROA because you’re representing what I need, not what the Pentagon is telling you I need.”
- Reserve Component colonel upon joining ROA -
Since 1922, The Reserve Officers Association of the United States, now known as the Reserve Organization of America to reflect its all-ranks membership, has championed the cause of the Reserve Components at home and in war.
The evolution of that mission has helped protect the rights and benefits of individual members of the Reserve force and their families, while preserving a strong and capable Reserve force as a critical component to our national security. ROA continues to serve the Reserve and National Guard in an era where the need is greater than ever before.
In 1922, after the first world war, General of the Armies John “Black Jack” Pershing helped form ROA to ensure America had a strong Reserve force – he and his fellow founders of ROA knew war would come again.
It did and with ROA’s support, the nation had a cadre of Reserve leaders on which to rebuild its armed forces. From every background and branch, “citizen-warriors” have served their country; from duty at home, to Europe to Vietnam, the Pacific to Southwest and Southcentral Asia, Africa and now space.
For 100 years ROA has been the only organization solely dedicated to supporting the Reserve Components and their critical role in national defense. ROA is America’s only exclusive advocate for the Reserve and National Guard – all ranks, all services. With a sole focus on support of the Reserve and Guard, ROA promotes the interests of Reserve Component members, their families, and veterans of Reserve service; and conducts a legislative campaign that ensures the readiness of our Reserve force. Together, ROA’s members sound off in one voice for one mission.
Reserve duty has changed, with increasing operational missions. So has the “new” Reserve Organization of America. ROA provides the tools, resources, support, education, and advocacy Reservists and their families need to succeed, in and out of uniform.