Army Reserve Soldiers, Civilians, and Families: I am 12 Battle Assemblies into leading this exceptional team of Soldiers and Civilians. So far, it has been quite a journey. As we continue to shape tomorrow, here are some observations and thoughts regarding the challenges we faced and my intent for the way ahead.

To ensure individual and unit readiness in the Army Reserve, it is critical that vaccinated Soldiers update their status in MEDPROS before Sept. 1, 2021. Contact your unit Health Readiness Coordinator or visit https://lhi.care.

We have until Aug. 31 to get every U.S. Army Reserve Soldier an ACFT and get it entered into the Digital Training Management System (DTMS). Doing this ensures that U.S. Army senior leaders can make an informed decision on the future of our physical assessments.

Cmd. Sgt. Maj. Andrew Lombardo, U.S. Army Reserve command sergeant major, and his team of nominative command sergeants major on his senior enlisted council and his command team took the new ACFT test. Lombardo calls his leaders to get their Soldiers after this test and enter the results into DTMS by 31 August.

August is Army Antiterrorism Awareness Month, an effort to inform military communities and the public of ways to protect and defend against potential terrorist threats.

Join us in congratulating U.S. Army Reserve 1st Lt. Amber English, who won the gold medal and set a new Olympic record in women's skeet shooting at the 2020 Olympic Games! (Photo by Maj. Nathaniel Garcia)

Master Sgt. Tracy Flores, U.S. Army Reserve Command provost marshal NCOIC, demonstrates the Expert Soldier Badge tasks for the M17 pistol.

Today's Army Reserve covers more than 20 time zones across five continents. Our people are the most important weapon system in accomplishing the mission, ensuring units are ready and capable to deliver victory. Our Soldiers are mentally tough, with a desire to serve their country now, and lead troops into the fight of tomorrow. In an every-changing landscape of both visible and invisible threats, we stand ready to defeat our enemies, anytime, anywhere. Modernization drives our ability to support operations in the multi-domain environment. We will mobilize rapidly with the right capabilities to win the future fight. America's Army Reserve is ready now, shaping tomorrow.