IRR Callup Rumors: Part II

A few weeks back ObWi reader Angela asked for information about the rumors of widespread IRR callups and reported that her husband had been pressured in what felt like "a scam to trick IRRs into reenlisting."

The US Army Human Resources Command posted this on their website in response to similar complaints:

Since early May 2004, the Army Reserve's Retention and Transition Division has been contacting Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) Soldiers with a remaining Mandatory Service Obligation (MSO) to solicit their voluntary transfer from the IRR to Army Reserve Troop Program Units (TPU). In conjunction with a screening of the IRR population by HRC-St. Louis, this effort was intended to match the skills of IRR Soldiers with units in their local areas, thereby enhancing the readiness of the Army Reserve.

It has come to our attention that this effort may have been presented as something beyond a purely voluntary endeavor. As a result, there may be some Soldiers who feel that they were misled or pressured into joining a Reserve unit, when, in fact, that was not the intention of this voluntary transition initiative.

Soldiers who believe they were unduly pressured into transferring to an Army Reserve unit, or that facts were misrepresented in the process of such a transfer action, may seek redress through the U.S. Army Reserve Command Retention and Transition Office. Transfer orders determined to be the result of coercion or misrepresentation can be revoked, if such allegations are confirmed.

Although every effort will be made to meet our personnel needs with volunteers, involuntary mobilization of IRR Soldiers can be executed with the approval of competent authority. The Army Reserve is an integral component of an Army serving our Nation at war. Those members of the IRR who still have a remaining contractual obligation may be called upon to serve, subject to the needs of the Army.

For further information contact the U. S. Army Reserve Command Retention and Transition Office, 1-866-401-9443 Ext 571 (toll-free).

Also, back in early June, reader LJD offered Angela this prediction:

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 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.

Seems LJD was right.

The US army has moved to recall nearly 6,000 former soldiers to active service to help maintain its force levels in Iraq and Afghanistan.

And again, the Pentagon is saying there's nothing new about this:

"It's a management tool which we've always had available to augment our forces when we need additional personnel in a time of war," said Lt Col Pamela Hart, an army spokeswoman at the Pentagon.

But it wouldn't be Washington if that ended the matter:

The decision was immediately cited by members of Congress as more evidence that the deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan and, more broadly, for the global campaign against terrorism, have left the Army unable to fulfill all its missions. Likewise, the presidential campaign of Senator John Kerry quickly issued a statement Tuesday labeling the decision troubling news.

[...]

After word of the ready reserve mobilization began circulating, the Kerry campaign issued a statement Tuesday saying that the decision was evidence of a failed Bush administration foreign policy in Iraq.

"The fact is that this involuntary call-up is a direct result of the Bush administration's diplomatic failure to get real international help in Iraq," said Rand Beers, Mr. Kerry's adviser on national security issues.

It does seem rather obvious, if nothing else, that we're waging the war against terrorism on the cheap, and that the military was stretched a bit thinner than it should be by the decision to invade Iraq when combined with a reluctance to increase the military. God forbid we need to invade NK or somewhere else in a hurry.

Comments

[Sebastian Holsclaw]

"It does seem rather obvious, if nothing else, that we're waging the war against terrorism on the cheap, and that the military was stretched a bit thinner than it should be by the decision to invade Iraq when combined with a reluctance to increase the military."

Amen to hear that from the left. I'd be all for a tax increase specificially tailored to raise enough money to increase troop pay and increase troop levels.

[Edward]

Well, my solution would have been to plan the invasion of Iraq a bit better, but I'm certainly all for increased troop pay. Even if it means paying nonmilitary contractors a bit less.

[Hal]

Uh, the debate about the millitary tact is still very much up in the air. It'd be a shame to assume the solution, a priori, without a rational debate. Quite the contrary, the reason we're in this mess is that no discussion was had, passion ruled the day, and debate was shut down. If we had had such a debate, we wouldn't be in the mess we're now in, and we therefore wouldn't be whining about how we're going to increase the millitary.

Circular arguments are best left unlinked.

[Gary Farber]

"Uh, the debate about the millitary tact is still very much up in the air."

Apparently I'm the only reader who has no idea what this means.

[Gary Farber]

I thought I had posted to that prior thread, but I see I was wrong. I had thought I quite thoroughly disposed of that rumor here.

[Kevin OMeara]

Well, I am one of the unlucky few. Here are my stats:

QM officer (Captain), I have been out of the Army for 11 years and have done nothing with the Army for those 11 years. Last served in May of 1993 in Washington, D.C.

Was deployed to Rotterdam to run the port during the first Desert Storm.

I am suppossed to report in 30 days. Anyone else in this situation? I am logging events in my Blog at www.kevinomeara.us

Later

[David]

Capt. Kevin, Hey thanks for your kind words. Yes I'm in the fight of my life but I will not go awol. I'll fight administratively for as long as it takes and is financially feasible.
Take care and watch your back!

David