June 1, 2016 –
FORT BRAGG, North Carolina – The Army Reserve bid farewell to its seventh commanding general during a relinquishment of command ceremony held at Marshall Hall on Fort Bragg, N.C. on Jun. 1.
After four years of exemplary leadership, Lt. Gen. Jeffrey W. Talley completes his tenure as Chief of Army Reserve and commanding general, U.S. Army Reserve Command. Talley, accompanied by his wife Linda, assumed his role in June, 2012.
The Army Reserve is a worldwide organization of approximately 215,000 Soldiers and civilians, 135 general officers and senior executives, 1100 reserve centers and training facilities, six installations, and equipment inventories valued at over $39 billion dollars.
The mission of U.S. Army Reserve Command, a subordinate command to U.S. Army Forces Command, is to provide trained and ready units and individuals to mobilize and deploy in support of the nation’s vital global interests.
Gen. Robert B. Abrams, commanding general of U.S. Army Forces Command, hosted Talley’s relinquishment ceremony, and emphasized why Talley was such an important part of the Total Force.
“General Talley has been critical to the successful implementation of the Army’s Total Force Policy. He was an original signature of FORSCOM’s response to the Army’s Total Force implementation, and enabled commanders across all three components to improve readiness through integrated training events, cross-component sharing of resources and changing people’s mindsets to achieve remarkable outcomes for Total Force implementation,” Abrams said.
Abrams also explained the challenges that came with the job. Talley “is one of our Army’s most capable and successful leaders… He’s commanded U.S. Army Reserve Command through times of unprecedented change, including the reduction of Army Reserve end-strength for the first time since the end of the Korean War. I might also add that he has survived four different FORSCOM Commanders,” Abrams joked.
During Talley’s tenure as commanding general, more than 40,800 U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers have supported Overseas Deployment Training missions, and over 62,000 have been mobilized in support of global operations.
“He’s fostered actions to sharpen individual and collective readiness and as a Citizen Soldier himself, Jeff Talley is acutely aware of the challenges and sacrifices of Army Reserve Soldiers who must delicately balance every day between civilian and Family responsibilities and the desire to serve their country,” said Abrams.
Abrams then recognized Linda’s importance to the Army Family. “No senior leader in the Army today can sustain the pace required to lead and inspire Soldiers that are spread across the entire world. Linda has been right there, standing side-by-side with Jeff. Linda’s love of Soldiers and Families have contributed to readiness in ways few will ever fully understand,” he said.
During Talley’s remarks, he reflected not only on his time as commanding general for U.S. Army Reserve Command, but those who helped him succeed.
“It has been my great honor to serve as Chief of the Army Reserve and to lead this incredible organization. It has become America’s global operational reserve force – the dedicated federal reserve of the most decisive and lethal land force in the world, and the credit for our success goes not to me, but to the men and women of the Army Reserve and the remarkable job they have done over the past 15 years to support Army commitments worldwide,” said Talley.
While recognizing the efforts of the Soldiers, Civilians and Families within the Army Reserve, Talley said he would be remiss if he didn’t recognize those who empowered him and the Army Reserve to be successful. “I am grateful to the support of General Milley and the entire Army staff, as well as to General Abrams and the great support he and all of FORSCOM have provided to the Army Reserve,” crediting the Army for embracing the Army Reserve as an integral element of the Total Army and the Joint Force.
Talley echoed Abrams’ recognition to the other half of his command ‘team’, Linda, and their children. “Without the support Linda and our children Christopher, Joshua, Matthew and Ashley provided, I could not have devoted these last 34 years to the Army and our great Nation,” he said.
Finally, Talley closed with a request. “As I take my leave, I do so knowing that today’s Army Reserve is, without doubt, the most battle-tested and experienced in our Nation’s history. I ask only that all of you continue to support the Army Reserve, and all of America’s Armed Forces, and the next chief and commanding general with the same dedication and enthusiasm.”
Maj. Gen. David Conboy, Deputy Commanding General for Operations, will assume responsibilities as acting commander until the nominated incoming Chief of the Army Reserve is confirmed and officially announced.