Army Reserve

The Army Reserve is a component of the U.S. Army that provides trained and ready units and individuals to augment the active Army and support national security missions both domestically and abroad. Recent news highlights challenges related to military recruitment and veteran mental health care, indirectly impacting the Army Reserve. The Army's decision to potentially raise the enlistment age to 42, as reported, suggests ongoing efforts to address recruitment shortfalls across the entire Army, including the Reserve. Separately, reported losses of mental health professionals within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and subsequent difficulties veterans face in accessing timely mental healthcare are relevant. Many Army Reserve soldiers are also veterans, and therefore rely on the VA for healthcare. These issues underscore the importance of ensuring adequate support systems are in place for both active duty and reserve personnel, particularly regarding mental health services, and the potential strain on the Reserve if veteran support systems are inadequate.