Ninety-seven Navy Reservists are among the approximately 820 service members of the Joint Task Force-National Capital Region who are supporting the 5,000 service members filling ceremonial and support roles this month at the 58th Presidential Inauguration.

The 10-day inaugural period runs from Jan. 15 to Jan. 24, with the inauguration itself set for Jan. 20 at the U.S. Capitol.
The Navy Reservists are located in most of the Joint Teams, which are in charge of making sure the marching bands and other musical units, color guards, salute batteries and honor cordons. Others provide support in other areas, such as logistics, medicine, personnel management, public affairs, special-event management and transportation.

"Working with our brothers and sisters from the other branches of service has been one of the best parts about JTF-NCR," said Logistics Specialist 1st Class Tara Goodell, a Navy Reservist from Navy Operational Support Center Nashville, Tennessee. She is one of eight Sailors assigned to the special events branch, which coordinates with the Department of Defense, United States Secret Service and other agencies on the opening ceremony, dinners and Inaugural Balls to be hosted by the Presidential Inaugural Committee.

The special events branch chief is Lt. Cmdr. Terrell Ringer of NOSC Baltimore, who supported President George W. Bush's inauguration in 2001.

"Special Events is prepared for every situation and contingency," Ringer said.

With that in mind, JTF NCR has ordered 5,000 tents and 5,000 meals ready to eat, along with the equipment to keep workers warm and fed during the inaugural period.

The largest Navy Reserve contingent includes 56 executive drivers, each of whom completed 120 hours of geographic familiarization training, plus classes in traffic safety, first aid and self-defense.

Being an executive driver for the inauguration provides the unique experience of working in a joint environment in direct support of Military Assistants and dignitaries, said Master at Arms 2nd Class Kathysue Todd of NOSC Tampa, Florida. Todd said she looked forward to showing off the training she received from the U.S. Navy.

Navy Reservists are also part of a 72-person public affairs team, including public affairs officers and mass communication specialists, responsible for informing the American people about U.S. military role in the inauguration.

Chief Mass Communication Specialist Kathleen Gorby of NOSC Norfolk is the graphics and design chief.

"All of the Navy personnel, unlike the Air Force, Marines or Army, are reservists," she said. "This brings a unique blend of perspectives to the inaugural staff."

The senior Navy officer onboard is Capt. Stephen Rankin, an active-duty officer who began his JTF NCR assignment in March, occupying one of 13 permanent Navy billets on the task force.
Chief Information Systems Technician Leon Moore is JTF NCR's senior enlisted adviser.

The inaugural experience has given him the opportunity to interact with and support civilian and military personnel from the Army, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard, as well as from a variety of government agencies, Moore said - and it is just one of many examples of the professionalism of the JTF NCR joint team.