Navy Reserve Celebrates 100 Years of Service

On March 3rd, the U.S. Navy Reserve celebrated its 100th anniversary of service in the nation’s defense. The Navy Reserve was founded on March 3, 1915, originally as the U.S. Navy Reserve Force. During World War II the Navy Reserve was responsible for over 80% of the naval manpower that participated in the war. Over the past 100 years, more than 52,000 Navy Reserve Sailors have served in Iraq and Afghanistan, and over 8,000 have been deployed for a second combat tour. Currently, approximately 20,000 Sailors provide fully-integrated global operational support to the Fleet and Combat Commanders.

To celebrate, New York-based Sailors and the chief of the Navy Preserve Vice Adm. Robin R. Braun made appearances on “Fox and Friends,” the “Today” show and “Good Morning America,” honoring the history and heritage of the Navy Reserve over the past 100 years. Sailors also took part in a cake-cutting ceremony at the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum in Manhattan. Braun preceded the ceremony with a few words of thanks to the men and women of the Navy Reserve, including those that serve as members of the New York Police and Fire Departments. The oldest and youngest Sailors present participated in the cutting of the cake, a long-standing Navy tradition.

Other Sailors at Navy Operational Support Centers posed for photos across the U.S. on March 3rd, including the Sailors assigned to the NOSC Orlando, who posed for a photo holding a ‘Celebrating 100 Years of the Navy Reserve’ banner at Walt Disney World.