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Reservists Convene for Competition, Camaraderie

U.S. soldiers and airmen joined partner-nation troops in Athens, Greece, recently for the Interallied Confederation of Reserve Officers Military Competition — an annual contest that, since 1957, has showcased the military skills of reservists.

Seven three-person U.S. teams competed against teams from 11 other countries in pistol and rifle shooting, an obstacle course, utility swimming, orienteering, range estimation, map reading and hand grenade throwing.

A soldier runs outside with another behind him.
Reserve Runner
Army Reserve Capt. Thomas Wheeler runs through the land obstacle course during the 2022 Interallied Confederation of Reserve Officers Military Competition in Athens, Greece, Aug. 2, 2022.
Photo By: Army Reserve Staff Sgt. David Graves
VIRIN: 220802-A-MY290-565
A soldier shown from behind brings her arm before throwing a projectile outside.
Winding Up
Army Reserve 2nd Lt. Katy Voss throws a simulation grenade as part of an orienteering course during the Interallied Confederation of Reserve Officers Military Competition 2022 in Athens, Greece, Aug. 3, 2022.
Photo By: Army Reserve Staff Sgt. David Graves
VIRIN: 220803-A-AJ198-779

Though the events were physically and mentally challenging, the competition was decidedly friendly. "Every nation was cheering for each other," Army Reserve Capt. Thomas Wheeler, one of the U.S. competitors, said. "It didn’t matter what nation was up on the block, everyone was fired up and cheering for them."

Service members stand in a row outdoors and cheer, some in athletic garb.
Friendly Competitors
Army Reserve Cpl. Thomas Doles stands with a team from the Netherlands to cheer on competitors on the obstacle course during the 2022 Interallied Confederation of Reserve Officers Military Competition in Athens, Greece, Aug. 2, 2022.
Photo By: Army Reserve Staff Sgt. David Graves
VIRIN: 220802-A-AJ198-317
Three athletes in swimsuits embrace.
Team Hug
Interallied Confederation of Reserve Officers Military Competition teammates embrace each other after finishing the swim obstacle course in Athens, Greece, Aug. 2, 2022.
Photo By: Army Reserve Staff Sgt. David Graves
VIRIN: 220802-A-AJ198-612

For the 21 U.S. competitors, the three-day event in Athens was preceded by a week of training with counterparts in Germany; and a weeklong selection, assessment and training period in Vermont before that.

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Three soldiers climb ladders next to each other during a competition as fellow soldiers watch from below.
Competitive Climb
Army Reserve Cpl. Ethan Allen, left, and Reserve Capts. Thomas Wheeler, center, and Justin Weeks scale ladders during an Interallied Confederation of Reserve Officers Military Competition training event in Germany, July 26, 2022.
Photo By: Army Staff Sgt. David Graves
VIRIN: 220726-A-AJ198-025M
A soldier runs on a trail on grass.
Getting to the Point
Army Reserve 1st Lt. Jessica Romero runs down a bike trail toward her next point during an Interallied Confederation of Reserve Officers orienteering event in Catamount, Vt., July 23, 2022.
Photo By: Army Reserve Staff Sgt. David Graves
VIRIN: 220723-A-AJ198-517
A soldier holding a weapon helps a fellow soldier with a weapon during a competition.
Soldier Support
Army Sgt. Christine Won, right, helps Capt. Danielle Rant adjust a rifle sling during a Interallied Confederation of Reserve Officers event at Camp Ethan Allen, Vt., July 19, 2022.
Photo By: Army Staff Sgt. David Graves
VIRIN: 220719-A-AJ198-290M

The Interallied Confederation of Reserve Officers represents the interests of more than 1.3 million reservists from 34 NATO and Partnership for Peace nations.

(Information from an article by Army Lt. Col. Kristin Porter, 807th Medical Command, is included in this story.)

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