Story by: NATO HQ
From 29 to 31 January, NATO hosted simultaneous meetings of the National Reserve Forces Committee (NRFC) and the Confédération Interalliée des Officiers de Réserve (CIOR). Both organisations renewed their joint Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to continuously improve cooperation.
“The reserves are a capable, credible and available force which continues to be an important element”
Deputy Chief of Staff of Allied Command Operations, Lieutenant General Olivier Rittimann, speaks at a joint meeting between the National Reserve Forces Committee (NRFC) and Confederation Interalliee des Officiers de Reserve (CIOR)
On 30 January, the joint session started off with a keynote address by the Deputy Chief of Staff of Allied Command Operations, Lieutenant General Olivier Rittimann. The General highlighted the value of Reservists as “a capable, credible and available force which continues to be an important element of the Force structure. For some Nations reservists make up almost 50% of their National forces which is understandable when requirements increase but defence spending does not follow. Whereas 20 years ago, reservists were considered more of a last resort, nowadays they are considered incremental to any Nation’s Armed Forces, providing the manpower and specialised skill to supplement regular armed forces”.
“Reserve forces are providing the manpower and specialised skill to supplement regular armed forces”
President of the Confederation Interalliee des Officiers de Reserve (CIOR), Colonel (R) Chris Argent (UK) and the Chairman of the National Reserve Forces Committee, Brigadier General Robert Glab (POL)
NATO has always recognised the importance of national Reserve Forces and the compelling requirement to better understand and exploit the inherent potential of reservists and Reserve Forces. NATO works on reservist issues through three different entities: the National Reserve Forces Committee (NRFC), the Interallied Confederation of Reserve Officers (known by its French acronym CIOR) and the Interallied Confederation of Medical Reserve Officers (CIOMR).