Corps calls up IRR Marines for Iraq

[CommunityEditor]

Letters have been sent to 1,800 Individual Ready Reservists in an effort to fill 1,200 slots.

From the article --

Most of the 1,800 Individual Ready Reservists the Corps involuntarily recalled this week will be sent to Iraq to fill specialty jobs the service is having trouble filling, according to a mobilization official.

Letters were mailed Monday to those IRR Marines, notifying them of an April muster in Kansas City, Lt. Col. Jeff Riehl, a mobilization officer with Marine Corps Manpower and Reserve Affairs, said Monday at a press briefing.

Those accepted for active duty will be issued orders to report for an Iraq deployment with I Marine Expeditionary Force in October, he said.

“Unit deployment dates will be in early 2008,” he said.

“The Marine Corps is using the Marines in a prudent and judicious manner. We’re targeting the Marines that we need to get specific skill sets. And we’ve also adopted the philosophy of do no harm to the Marine,” Riehl said.


Read the story: http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news..._callup070326/


What's this all about? What would be an acceptable reason not to go? Can this order be refused? If you're an IRR, is deployment back into war something you knew was possible?

Discuss the issues surrounding this decision.

[MICHAELWOOTEN]

next thing is the draft? will it ever happen?

[The Universal Curmudgeon_guest]

Originally Posted by CommunityEditor

What's this all about?

It's about "We don't have enough troops.".

Originally Posted by CommunityEditor

What would be an acceptable reason not to go?

I guess that depends on how you define "acceptable", doesn't it.

Originally Posted by CommunityEditor

Can this order be refused?

It appears that (for the Army at any rate) it isn't so much being "refused" as it is being "ignored" - and the Army doesn't appear to have any intention of doing anything about anyone who just sort of forgets to respond to the order.

I suspect that the Army's position just might have something to do with the fact that the publicity resulting from instituting criminal prosecutions against Honourably Discharged veterans just because they don't want to serve in a war that 60+% of the American people no longer support might possibly not be the type of publicity that either the US military or the leadership of the Executive Branch of the government of the United States of America feel like having right about now.

Seeing a decorated veteran (in full uniform and wearing every medal and decoration that they are entitled to) standing up in court and quoting e.e.cummings "I Sing of Olaf" to the Court Martial panel really doesn't look all that good on TV.

Originally Posted by CommunityEditor

If you're an IRR, is deployment back into war something you knew was possible?

Again that sort of depends on how you define "knew", doesn't it. I think that every member of the IRR is aware of the theoretical possibility that they might be involuntarily recalled, but aware that they would be recalled is something else again - especially since it hasn't happened in well over 20 years. I mean, I am aware of the theoretical possibility that I might win the multimillion dollar grand prize in the lottery, but I'm not going to make my plans based on the "fact" that I will win it - would you?

[DANIELW82]

Originally Posted by The Universal Curmudgeon_guest

It's about "We don't have enough troops.".



Again that sort of depends on how you define "knew", doesn't it. I think that every member of the IRR is aware of the theoretical possibility that they might be involuntarily recalled, but aware that they would be recalled is something else again - especially since it hasn't happened in well over 20 years. I mean, I am aware of the theoretical possibility that I might win the multimillion dollar grand prize in the lottery, but I'm not going to make my plans based on the "fact" that I will win it - would you?

I just wanted to clear one thing up. You said over 20 years, it has been happening very often in this war alone. I came across many recalls when I was in Iraq. The difference is that it is happening on a larger scale this time, instead of a handful here and there. I hope that helps you out a little, Thank you.

[The Universal Curmudgeon_guest]

Originally Posted by DANIELW82

I just wanted to clear one thing up. You said over 20 years, it has been happening very often in this war alone. I came across many recalls when I was in Iraq. The difference is that it is happening on a larger scale this time, instead of a handful here and there. I hope that helps you out a little, Thank you.

You're right. I didn't make myself clear enough.

What I meant was "Prior to Mr. Bush's War there hadn't been any significant need to call people up from the IRR for over 20 years and that need was generally able to be met by asking members of the IRR if they would be willing to be "called up". In short, by volunteers from amongst the members of the IRR.".

[DANIELW82]

Originally Posted by The Universal Curmudgeon_guest

You're right. I didn't make myself clear enough.

What I meant was "Prior to Mr. Bush's War there hadn't been any significant need to call people up from the IRR for over 20 years and that need was generally able to be met by asking members of the IRR if they would be willing to be "called up". In short, by volunteers from amongst the members of the IRR.".

Well, clear enough. Much better understood, sorry.

[William Wilson]

I am a civilian and would like to ask a procedural question with respect to the IRR.

My understanding (and please correct me if I wrong) is that the typical enlistment contract says X number of years active and/or drilling reserve, followed by IRR to a cutoff of an 8-year total obligation unless further extended. My understanding is further that to implement that cutoff, regardless of whether it's after the initial 8 years or after one more extensions, a service member must contact the service and complete some paperwork.

If the servicemember fails to fill out that paperwork and end his or her IRR status, then I understand that it continues. I've read stories in which former military members completed their active service and said goodbye to military life -- fondly or otherwise -- then never went into a drilling reserve status. Then they paid no attention to their IRR status and thus never filled out the paperwork to cancel it. Then, years later, along comes the Iraq War and a bunch of these people get letters telling them they're in the IRR and they've been activated and they might want to buy an Arabic phrasebook

Sans the hyperbole about the Arabic phrasebook, is that a correct understanding on my part about the procedural side? Mind you, I'm not expressing an opinion about this because I can truly see it from both sides. In my world, a contract is a contract, but on the other hand I can see how people would regard it as a trap door. I only want to know if my understanding of the procedure is accurate. Thanks.

[ringjamesa]

You are in fact incorrect, an INITAL Enlistment/Commisioning is for 8 years PERIOD. The most common is 4 years Active Duty and 4 years in the IRR or for the Reserve 6 years in the Selected Reserve and 2 in the IRR. if an Enlisted member has completed 8 years AND completed their current contract, they have no further obligation. You cannon decline to be in the IRR if you have not completed you 8 year Military Service Obligation-other than for pregnancy, no matter what form you fill out. For Officers, once they complete their inital 8 years AND any Service committments for training, education, or PCS, they have the option to resign their commission. Otherwise they are in the IRR indefinately. There is no paperwork to cancel an IRR obligation. In fact, if called up, the respective service can keep the member with or without their consent, past their obligated time up to 6 months past the end of the War or National Emergency that they were called up for. It is all on the DD 4 (Enlistment contract). Officers are covered under their separation form.

[William Wilson]

Thanks for the clarification.

To be sure I have this right: Enlisteds do 8 years (some combo of active, reserve and IRR) and then the obligation automatically ceases. Officers do 8 years + any other contractual obligations, and unless they resign their commissions they are in the IRR forever. If either enlisted or officer is called up, they can be kept active for 6 months past the end of the war or emergency. Correct?

[ringjamesa]

Yes, that is essentally correct. After 8 years (Enlisted), the only other times they would be in the IRR is if they retire or re-enlist and do not complete their contract on either AD or in a Participating Reserve status. The Officers are indefinate until either they resign the commission or until their respective service decides that they have enough officers in their particular job and skill level and they can be discharged.