At the end of their contract, can someone reenlist into the IRR (no drills, just IRR)?

2016-12-05T12:54:30-05:00

I like to play a little game with my Retention NCOIC each month. He has me on his list & scouts around for me; in turn I 3D him (duck, dodge & dive not distance, direction & description). He got me this month because sometimes he gets lucky. I’m not looking to reup, but in passing he informs me I can reenlist into the IRR. Really? How’s that work? What’s the benefits to the Army? To me?

Response by SSG Jessica Bautista made Dec 5 at 2016 1:07 PM

2016-12-05T13:07:56-05:00

If you have less than 8 years in service, the IRR allows you to "serve" the remainder of your contract as a civilian. However, in a state of emergency, you can be called back up. It's like a reserve to the reserves-- You keep your uniforms and ID card, and give the Army an updated address. It's not unlikely that they might be called up soon, as the last time was in 2009, I believe.

Since IRR members are not subject to the UCMJ, the military has no formal jurisdiction to take action against IRR individuals if they do not voluntarily report—and there are no corresponding civilian laws requiring IRR individuals to report.

So you can sign up, wait out your contract, and pretty much get on with your life, or you can go into the NG or Reserves.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 5 at 2016 4:20 PM

2016-12-05T16:20:30-05:00

IRR no nco schooling, no mos schooling, you can however volunteer for duty at your convienence for support missions, I did this back in 2003 my career counsellor contacted me had a great mission, 2 weeks in Hawaii, med support in hilo, it was awesome

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 5 at 2016 6:33 PM

2016-12-05T18:33:45-05:00

When I was the UCC for an ARNG company, I always advised guys who were pretty sure they were done to enlist into the Inactive Guard for a year. That way, if after a year, they decided they missed it, they could reup, and still be eligible for any reenlistment incentives being offered. That's the only advantage I'm aware of for the soldier. For the unit, it keeps a man on the roster, and helps make the numbers look good.

Response by SFC Stephen P. made Dec 5 at 2016 8:35 PM

2016-12-05T20:35:22-05:00

How it works: You reenlist for 3-6 years (you can't go indef yet), and at the end of your current obligation you transfer to the IRR. New contract begins the day after your ETS.

Benefit to you: You keep a minimal amount of benefits (PX and MWR), accrue time in service and time in grade, get membership points, and reassignment to TPU doesn't require MEPS.

Benefit to the service: They can call you up for AD at any time, and it's easy to reassign you back to TPU.

Please don't play games with us Sarge, we have to report this stuff to our higher. Just stop in the office at drill and say, "still not reenlisting".

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 5 at 2016 9:14 PM

2016-12-05T21:14:25-05:00

When you are 90 days out from ETS you can reenlist into the IRR. The effective date would be the day after current ETS. I've executed two of these contracts for soldiers in the reserves.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 6 at 2016 6:28 AM

2016-12-06T06:28:27-05:00

yes and the benefits to the IRR is if they need you for deployment, they can pull you from the IRR, benefits to you, you earn retirement points as a member of the IRR but you do not have to attend drills. You can volunteer of missions if youd like. Keep up on your medical readiness, etc.

Response by SPC Erich Guenther made Dec 6 at 2016 11:38 AM

2016-12-06T11:38:08-05:00

Yup I did for 2 years back in 1988 or 1989. Never called for ODS though, that privelege was restricted to 11B's and 11C's apparently. Surplus back then of 11M and 11H.

At that time the benefits was they extended your Reserve ID card, you could use the PX I think once a year and sign up for training if you wanted it. You get the IRR Magazine which they use to track your current mailing address. I think via the IRR if you want you can also progress upwards in rank though it is a lot more difficult then if your with an Active Reserve unit.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Dec 6 at 2016 1:11 PM

2016-12-06T13:11:07-05:00

I don't think you can reenlist into the IRR. It's just where you get put until your actual contract expires. For instance, I believe most first term contracts are 8 years. 4 years active, 4 years reserve. Once you complete the active portion, you get put into the IRR until the completion of your actual contract.

There are no benefits except you still retain access to military facilities and the commissary. No drill. No formations. Once or twice a year a recruiter will call you to make sure you are staying out of trouble and verify all your information is still correct. This in the off chance that you need to be activated again in an emergency.

But I don't think you reenlist to the IRR. Now Active Reserve is completely different, but I'm pretty sure IRR is just a placeholder until you're out out.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 6 at 2016 2:26 PM

2016-12-06T14:26:41-05:00

To add to SFC Rochelle's comment, after you get in the IRR, you can extend or reenlist IN THE IRR up to retirement. You only accrue 15 points per year if you don't do any additional training. You will complete any retention actions directly with HRC if it does not involve you transferring from the IRR to another component of the Reserve.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 21 at 2018 12:56 AM

2018-04-21T00:56:46-04:00

I am retired from Army reserves and want to go back in, I want know if program exist for Retired ready reserve, I only want to drill for points, please inform me of any liable information you can acquire. Thanks in advance

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 7 at 2021 3:59 PM

2021-06-07T15:59:07-04:00

Anyone know how promotions for Officers work in the IRR?