The U.S. Army Reserve celebrated its 118th birthday on April 24, 2026, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, where it enlisted 118 future Soldiers.
The ceremony took place at a historic site, underscoring the importance of community engagement in military recruitment efforts. Almost half of the new recruits will join the Army Reserve.
As part of the celebration, the National Anthem was performed by Chief Warrant Officer 2 and country musician Craig Morgan Greer. Army Reserve chefs cut a ceremonial cake to mark the occasion.
Lt. Gen. Robert Harter, chief of Army Reserve and commanding general of U.S. Army Reserve Command, emphasized the significance of the event. He stated, “There’s only one nation that swears an oath of allegiance to its constitution … and that is the United States of America.”
Maj. Donald Petty, executive officer of the Army’s Mid-Atlantic recruiting battalion, noted that this enlistment ceremony represents recent successes in attracting new talent to military service.
Key highlights from the event:
- 118 future Soldiers enlisted during the ceremony.
- The event included a reenlistment ceremony for existing members.
- The Army Reserve supports both domestic and overseas military operations.
Jim Bernet, an outreach officer, remarked on the importance of community connections: “We need to multiply what we did today because it is the only way to get our message out about the value and positive return on investment that service brings to the Army — and to communities.”
The Army Reserve continues to focus on attracting top talent from various communities while supporting career growth for Soldiers and their families through its Private Public Partnership Office.