CIOR meeting an important step in examining post-deployment care of reservists

by Major Lynne Chaloux

Over 250 reserve officer delegates from 15 nations met at NATO headquarters from 15-17 February for the annual winter meeting of the Interallied Confederation of Reserve Officers (CIOR), the worldπs largest military reserve officer association.  This year, the effort in Brussels was focused on a singular strategic study relating to the post-deployment care of reservists -- the results of which will be presented to NATOπs Military Committee in the fall.

This CIOR study on post-deployment care was identified as an area where CIOR can apply its unique position -- sharing national representation and a wide range of professional experiences.  The purpose of the study is to identify challenges nations face when deploying members of their reserve forces into operational theatres, and perhaps more importantly to identify best practices in meeting those challenges.  As such, the results of the study are expected to contribute positively to the way NATO nations deploy and repatriate their reservists in theatres of operation, and the manner in which nations provide their reservists with the necessary follow-up medical care and administrative assistance -- particularly if the reservist has been injured.

≥At a time when NATOπs reservists are serving in harmπs way in increasing numbers, the studies weπre undertaking are tangible, important and timely,≤ said Canadian CIOR President Capt(N) Carman McNary. ≥Iπm certainly pleased weπve made significant progress and moved the yardstick forward during this critical winter meeting,≤ he added. 

In addition to preparing for the study on post-deployment care, the winter meeting progressed a number of other important CIOR activities.  Plans were put in place to involve non-commissioned members of the reserves in the CIOR Military Skills Competition, which is held as part of the summer congress in Riga.  In addition, significant effort went into planning a professional development seminar for young reserve officers to be held in Albania in May, as well as a workshop for a similar group of officers during the summer congress. 

Meanwhile, CIOR is actively supporting NATOπs outreach objectives by continually building bridges and establishing connections with PfP and other nations of interest on behalf of the Alliance.  During the winter meeting, reports were heard on initial attempts at such outreach with a number of nations throughout the Mediterranean Dialogue, the Maghreb, and beyond.

 ≥CIOR is taking on substantial work and promising substantive results that will be relevant and useful to NATO.  This is what our organization is all about – leveraging the  unique knowledge base and skills of its varied membership and producing results that add value to NATO and national ministries of defense,≤ said Capt(N) McNary.

CIOR will continue to progress its post-deployment care study and its international outreach initiatives when delegates from around the world come together in Riga, Latvia, for the annual summer congress from 31 July – 4 August.