ARNG to IRR or service transfer?

2020-09-20T13:38:31-04:00

I am currently drilling as a UH60 pilot with the PA ARNG. I have just over three years until 20, but I'm strongly weighing alternate options, specifically: (1) IRR (2) service transfer (to include resigning my commission and enlisting in the Air Guard) or (3) ...getting out altogether.

The IRR is the most attractive option to me but there's a lot of contradictory information on the internet. It seems that online courses are still available to IRR SM but must be approved by the SM's commander in order to earn retirement points, can anyone comment on this?

To be clear: I need a change. I can not continue on the same path I am. I am thankful for everything the Army has given me over the last 17 years but I am finding my current situation incompatible with my civilian employment/home life. My military rank, pay, benefits matter little to me. Im simply trying to find a way to continue to serve in another capacity.

Any help or advice would be appreciated!

EDIT/UPDATE for the sake of others who may read this down the road: It appears that IRR as an option is not feasible for anyone attempting to earn 'good' years towards retirement. Most of the people who point to the IRR as a way to ride out the last year or two are unaware that the Army has removed the ability to earn RP via distance learning. I'm still trying to get a solid answer on how drilling on IRR works. I'm sure there are special circumstances and loopholes but, as far as I'm concerned, IRR is not going to work for me.

Inter-service transfer, on the other hand, has become an attractive option. From what I've gleaned talking to an AF recruiter: Minimum enlistment for prior service is 3 years, though you forego many of the incentives that come with longer contracts. Prior SM can also come in at their last enlisted rank, depending on the unit/job you enlist into. I'll have to attend IET (tech school, the AF equivalent to the Army's AIT) for the job of my choosing but that's it.

Now to convince the Army that losing a qualified aviator is in their best interest...

Response by CW5 Jack Cardwell made Sep 20 at 2020 1:45 PM

2020-09-20T13:45:22-04:00

Your life, your choice. Three years in the National Guard pass quickly...

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 20 at 2020 1:50 PM

2020-09-20T13:50:33-04:00

IRR as an option to get three more good years creditable for retirement, you would need a sponsor unit for those points for online classes, showing up for an AT, or 30 straight days of AT and some UTAs.
https://www.usar.army.mil/IMA/

Other options could include an IST to the ARNG of NY, NJ, MD, WV, OH, VA, etc.

IMA Page

Official site of the U.S. Army Reserve, the federal military reserve forces of the United States.

Response by COL Vincent Stoneking made Sep 20 at 2020 1:56 PM

2020-09-20T13:56:33-04:00

There are very few options to earn points for good years in the IRR. They did away with points for correspondence/distance courses in 2016. This isn't waivable, it's just gone for everyone.

For active (a really loaded term, IRR is actually considered "active" reserve....) reservists - with a unit - Ther is a list of DL/Online courses you can take for points & pay. But you will NOT be eligible to do so as an IRR member, barring exceptional circumstances. I forget the details, because it never really impacted me, but the courses must be command approved (you effectively don't have a command...) . In addition, the courses come from a set list that have to do with maintaining your readiness.

You will find it VERY difficult to get good years in the IRR currently. I did finish out my career there, and about the only way yo do it is to get a points only attachment to a unit and drill for free. That's what I did in my case.

It is my personal opinion that big Army is actively discouraging people from "hanging out" in the IRR and is doing everything it can to either nudge them into a unit or separate them from the rolls. If you don't have 20 good years, you could probably hang out there for a few years, but you will likely need to join a unit and drill eventually to get your 20. Also, once you have your 20, you will need to somehow get good years while in the IRR or face separation (that's why I ended up on the points only attachment, despite well over 20 good years).

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 20 at 2020 2:51 PM

2020-09-20T14:51:06-04:00

The IRR used to be a very good option when there were Reserve Training Units (RTU) where Soldiers could drill for points only. We used to meet once a week for two hours at the New Sanno Hotel (Military rec Facility) in Tokyo Japan. There were similar units all over the USA or wherever large numbers of troops existed overseas. We would also get additional points by volunteering with JROTC at the Camp Zama High School. This history lesson doesn't help your situation though.

To the best of my knowledge, you can still go to the IRR and volunteer for two weeks of active duty every year. There are still some opportunities to get points through online training as well. I hate to see a Warrant Officer resign after 17 years. Enlisting in the Air National Guard or Reserve isn't going to help the situation either, unless you have the time and there is a very interesting enlisted career field you want to go into. If you do enlist into the Ari Force Reserve/National Guard, I hope they will recognize you as a pilot so you can fly the drones.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 20 at 2020 3:19 PM

2020-09-20T15:19:21-04:00

A lot of good information here, thank you!

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 20 at 2020 3:46 PM

2020-09-20T15:46:34-04:00

Go air guard. I'm in the PA guard and drive from Chicago (ya, long story). I'm switching to the air guard in IN. Their drill requirements are much easier and more conducive to family/work life. With 3 years to retirement don't get out, earn your retirement

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 20 at 2020 6:47 PM

2020-09-20T18:47:35-04:00

Chief, an option in PA itself that you can look into would be transferring to the 166 RTI. I believe it is 4/166 that runs OCS and WOCS on site.

You can always talk to them and attempt to transfer for that change you need, I know they have MDAY slots in other battalions for NCO’s but I cannot speak to if they have those slots for WO side or not. If they do you could drill during WOCS and help instruct etc.

Response by MAJ Ronnie Reams made Sep 20 at 2020 7:12 PM

2020-09-20T19:12:53-04:00

I not know if it still exists, but have you looked into an IMA slot. Selected Reserve and AT plus whatever AD time your unit will give you.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Sep 20 at 2020 9:08 PM

2020-09-20T21:08:26-04:00

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member we RP regulars constantly answer the same dozen questions essentially. You know how many E3/E4 kids are beating down the door trying to be where you are at? I understand the competing demands piece. Got it. You can do 3 years standing in your head in a bucket of sh!t if you had to. As CW5 Jack Cardwell said. Three years in the ARNG pass quick. Recommend riding it out in a drilling status and dropping your retirement at 20years and 59 seconds.

Riddle me this. Do you have enough points to retire if you went IRR right now? You've spent 17 years on this. Walk away with something more than the zoom bags in the closet and the shadow box on the wall.

Another of the dirty dozen RP questions are people trying to get back in, racked with regret that they did not stay in or stay to retire.

At the end of the day it's up to you. Curious as to how enlisting in the ANG solves any of your issues, would you have to go through all or some IET to earn the AFSC? How would transferring to the ANG as an officer fix your problems?

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Sep 21 at 2020 12:47 PM

2020-09-21T12:47:23-04:00

If you went to another unit, what could you do? Non flying, flying warrants are not in high demand. Can you work out something with your unit? Have you talked to your state command chief? 17 s a long time to walk away from. I get it, try every option.

Response by CPT Carolyn Krotowski made Sep 21 at 2020 4:59 PM

2020-09-21T16:59:28-04:00

Wow. I was in the same position as you. I didn’t want to promote, to old to do some things and my career made it difficult for me to be part of the Army. I did opt to stay in. I got out of command and took a position with less demands I just got my 20 and within 3 days put in my retirement. You may want to get an instructor position to ride out the last 3 years. But of your current choice, I would go IRR drill your 50 points per year on your time to get your 20 the go to retired IRR

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 25 at 2020 10:33 AM

2020-09-25T10:33:44-04:00

I posted an update to the original question just to fill in some blanks for attention-span deprived who may read this at a later date. Thanks again for all of the input; inter-service transfer to the ANG seems to be my best bet!

Response by SSG Bobbyray Kinskey made Sep 29 at 2020 6:18 AM

2020-09-29T06:18:42-04:00

Dear Chief : I was in Virginia Army Guard . The way I got into the IRR was enlisting on an indefinite enlistment after 20 good years and transfer to Army Reserves and then transfer to IRR . This gave me a bigger final at Age 60 , which increased my retirement.