THE U.S. Army Reserve wants to increase its presence in the CNMI, Brig. Gen. Mark W. Siekman told Saipan Mayor David M. Apatang last week.
Siekman is the commander of the 9th Mission Support Command of the U.S. Army Reserve Pacific.
He and his team met with the mayor in his office the day after the Liberation Day parade on July 4, 2022.
During the meeting with Apatang, Siekman thanked the mayor for inviting him and his team to be a part of the annual celebration.
He also told Apatang that “the Reserve wants to increase presence and capacity in the CNMI, and I am here to hear from you what you think the Reserve can add to its presence here.”
A Vietnam War veteran, the mayor said, “First off, I am very pleased and happy that the Reserve made it this year [and joined the] parade along with other military units.”
“Along with the residents of Saipan and myself, we are very honored that the Reserve joined us for the first time since I became the mayor of Saipan,” Apatang added.
“I believe the Reserve’s excellent job of keeping the Reserve in Saipan ready and engaged in the community needs to be highlighted. For example, the Reserve quickly responded to the CNMI’s effort to get the island of Saipan back on its feet immediately after Super Typhoon Yutu struck the island,” Apatang said.
“Recruiting is important and I want to encourage the Reserve to continue its successful recruiting program here in the CNMI,” he added.
Siekman noted that the Reserve provides recruits the opportunity to take college courses and career programs such as engineering.
The mayor assured Siekman that he would continue to coordinate and work alongside the Reserve and support all active reservists living on island.
Saipan Mayor David M. Apatang, center, poses with the commander of the 9th Mission Support Command of the U.S. Pacific U.S. Army Reserve, Brig. Gen. Mark W. Siekman, third left, and his team during a meeting on July 5 at the Saipan Mayor’s Office. Also in photo is the mayor’s special assistant, Henry Hofschneider, right.
