ROA executive director provides unique voice for Reserves during sub-committee meeting

Jenny Swigoda

On Wednesday, June 26, Major General Andrew Davis delivered testimony on behalf of Reserve officers before a subcommittee of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee. As the sole representative of a Reserve organization, Davis presented support for several pending legislative bills while offering the unique perspective of citizen warriors.


The sub-committee heard testimonies from three panels regarding the specific needs of veterans, their families and soldiers currently serving overseas. Panelists included representatives from the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Defense, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. and the American Legion.

Davis spoke on proposed legislation which would further support the families of fallen soldiers from foreclosure; provide educational opportunities for soldiers after deployment; recognition of soldiers as “non-traditional” students; expansion of the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry scholarship and a bill that would provide service members with civilian credentialing opportunities.

Davis emphasized the importance of helping service members transition into civilian life by providing them with certification and educational opportunities when they return from deployment.

“Due to stealth discrimination and employers concerns about the mobilization of a peacetime operational Reserve, unemployment for 18 to 24-year-old Reserve and Guard members is triple the unemployment rate for non-affiliated veterans,” said Davis.

ROA continues to provide a voice for the thousands of men and women Reserve members in the halls of Congress.

For more information on ROA or how to become a member, please visit www.roa.org.