IRR Callup Rumors

ObWi Reader Angela asked a question in the earlier thread about potential widespread IRR callups that deserves its own post. Would anyone who knows the answers, please share:

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Does anyone know what 'significant portions' of the IRR means? My husband is in the IRR and we have heard so much crap in the last month or two that I don't know what to believe anymore.

We had a retention officer calling us last month warning us that my husband would be called out of the IRR and should join a unit now to control where he was placed. When that didn't work, he called and told us they were 'disbanding' the IRR and that EVERY SINGLE IRR member would be put into units before June 1st. We still didn't fall for it, which turned out to be a good thing, because it came out that this 'disbanding' of the IRR turned out to either be rumor, mistake or, as some dubbed it, a scam to trick IRRs into reenlisting.

And now I hear this. Will it ever end?? I just want to know what is truth and what is rumor. I did read in a national newspaper (and not in the Op/Ed section) that the Army has mobilized 5,000 IRRs. Would 5,000 out of 118,000 be considered significant? When we were going through the whole 'Who's getting called out of the IRR' debate a week or two ago, a high-ranking official informed us that, when it was all said and done, about 5-6,000 IRRs would be activated, so I am guessing this is the case.

If someone would care to elaborate on the 'significant' number they heard, I would be much obliged. Until then, I will continue to treat everything I hear regarding the IRR as fishy and believe nothing until a telegram arrives at our house.

I find the idea that the military is scamming folks to get them to re-enlist dispicable. Some "voluntary" service we got here, eh?

Comments

[Catsy]

Let's hope that these scam calls are only scattered, anecdotal reports--which is not to say that they're not happening, merely that I'd hope they were the work of individuals and not a coordinated effort by some part of our military.

[sidereal]

I wonder if they're compensated as normal recruiters, who receive benefits (if I understand correctly) according to who and how many people they get to sign up.

Which causes them to act like salesmen. Which causes them to act like jerks.

[chuchundra]

If this is actually happening, the recruiters in question should face court martial and dismissal from the service. The men and women in the IRR have served their nation and shouldn't be subject to this type of harassment.

[Cameron]

Well, I am in the IRR until Apri, 2006. The closest thing I could find about IRR being recalled was here.

Granted, this applies to the Army not the Marines. I have yet to hear of anything like that for us.

If this is actually happening, the recruiters in question should face court martial and dismissal from the service.

I say first demand that the recruiter back up what he is saying by an actual order. And if he insists on bothering the person, demand to speak to his Commanding Officer.

[LJD]

Angela:

From reading your letter, I can tell you are more aware of what's going on than most of the people posting to the bulletin boards on this subject... There is a lot of panic over this memo, the state of affairs in the GWOT, etc.

I have been searching for all the info I can find on the net because it really sucks trying to manage a family and career while worrying about a callup. Other than the less-than-accurate official position of the Army, they're not talking.

I don't stress over mobilization as much as I do the uncertainty about if and when it will happen. However, I have come to the conclusion that you can't worry about that which you have no control over. Perhaps not much consolation for you, but it's all we've got.

You should know, although the HRC says NO ONE has been called up, over 600 troops actually have mob orders. I found this link to an LT who is processing through St. Louis. http://armysteve.com/armysteve/
There is ocasionally some valuable information there.

You are right to doubt the rumors. I would advise all troops to carefully scrutinize the recruiter's tricks. I got a letter from a recruiter titled "mobilization order" over a year ago. More of the same by mail and e-mail last month. Some of these guys are absolutely shameless.

My opinion, for what it's worth, is that it's realistic to expect 5,000-6,000 of the 118k to be called over the summer. (Maybe there was a shred of truth in the memo?) This will likely include critical MOSs: Medical, MPs, Civil Affairs, Engineers. Length of time in service, pay grade, time in IRR, are probably all factors, but I don't have any idea how they are weighted. I would assume higher ranks, combat experience, and those with specialized training are more desirable for callup. This callup will be to train-up for Spring 05 Iraq rotation.

I am a 19D Cav Scout, and I have not heard anything about shortages in combat arms. Unfortunately, I work as a civil engineer and was dumb enough to tell HRC. It is possible that they would re-train soldiers, who meet certain criteria, to fill the critical jobs. I heard a rumor that my State ARNG unit is phasing out Artillery and re-training every one to be MPs. There is no precedent for this war or the utilization of troops currently under way, so I suppose anything can happen.

I can't imagine calling up all 118k, or disbanding the IRR. There would be unprecedented backlash in an election year. After November, it's anybody's guess. Of course, another terrorist attack, problems with North Korea, or any number of nighmare scenarios will instantly change all the rules.

Continue to seek information, but read between the lines. Until your husband gets a telegram, it's all heresay, and B.S.

[LJD]

Almost forgot....
Your husband can use his AKO account to look through the IMA/ARE vacancies. This is a good picture of what jobs they're looking for. From what I can tell, almost all require a security clearance. (another factor to consider in determining the likelihood of callup)

[Robert]

Greeeaaaat. I am Civil Affairs, in the IRR, have a clearance which was just renewed for 5 years, and I am up for E-9. Does that put me at the worst spot in the food chain or what? Oh and in the real world I manage 911 computers, that is sort of important too maybe?

[Brandy]

I was in the same boat, I thought I'd never be called back. Here I am in my prime a full time student, mother, wife , who just got hired by Pearl Harbor in a summer hire program. Then one day I check the mail and I got a Mail-o-gram from Western Union. I thought it was a joke. I wish it was. I'll be leaving shortly after my son's 2nd birthday. I didn't hear anything from the army for a while, I partly think they found me more easily when I registered for my AKO account. My husband is also IRR, I can only hope he doesn't get call up also!!!!

[Brandy]

I was in the same boat, I thought I'd never be called back. Here I am in my prime a full time student, mother, wife , who just got hired by Pearl Harbor in a summer hire program. Then one day I check the mail and I got a Mail-o-gram from Western Union. I thought it was a joke. I wish it was. I'll be leaving shortly after my son's 2nd birthday. I didn't hear anything from the army for a while, I partly think they found me more easily when I registered for my AKO account. My husband is also IRR, I can only hope he doesn't get call up also!!!!

[Jcam]

Question: I completed my 8 yrs obligation for IRR. I am an officer but have not resigned my commission. Am I still eligible for IRR?

[Jadegold]

Jcam: Assuming you haven't received your discharge papers, you are still on the IRR radar screen.

[Bob]

I belive you should all be aware you are still in the Military until your 8 year commitment is up...Thre will be no draft therefore where are the new soldiers going to come from??? Only so many can be recruited, and that will be very short of what is needed. I suggest to everyone in the IRR to go while the getting is good and enter the USAR, or ARNG in your state, or any other reserve component for the remaining time you have. This way not only will you have the option of jobs and location, but u will make some money and not have to worry about the IRR callup??? If you are deployed, at least its with people and a Unit you know and are comfortable with, and not a Unit you are just cast into for deployment purposes for a 24 month deployemnet to where ever....I reccommend highly if you are a truckdriver, supply, arms person, aviation , medical or military police, that you may wanna move sooner than later on the Reserve option????

[Robert]

Wow it was June 2004 when I was last hear. 10 months have passed and I received my Mailgram last weekend. I am spending my time putting what I can on Ebay to pay the bills that Army pay won't be able to. I sure hope I don't lose my house and my dogs.

Yes, in the military we are used to the short end of the stick. I just never expected it to be dosed with curare.

[Sam]

I am in the IRR and recieved a mailogram for deployment 5 months ago in June for operation Iraqi Freedom as 11B. They have delayed me about 7 times so far. Suddenly I have the army reserve (Career Counslers) sending me emails, letters and telephone calls. I'm not about to sign up for another 8 years. If this is not a scam I just want to serve my time and country where I am needed and get back to my wife. Has anyone else run into this same scenario?

[Robert]

Yup, they are calling me too, from hundreds of miles away even. I was deferred from may 22nd until July 24th, but no orders so they said August 7th, no orders again so they said September 11th, you guessed it no orders so they said September 25th and cut orders, then a few days later cut orders for December 11th, so here I am waiting for December 11th, they have meesed witih me since March and it is killing me.

[Robert]

Oh here is a but of info you may not know. Once you are an E-7 or have 15 years in, the next time you re-enlist it is not for 2, 4 or 6 years, it is until your MRD! Yup! I re-upped last year and it was until the year 2022!