Can anyone tell me about their experience in the IMA program?

The Air Force IMA program requires prior Military service, full time experience in Your specialty, military or civilian or both. Your slot is against the manning document in an active duty unit. You can pick when You do Your drill days as well as Your two weeks active duty as long as You comply with the same Reserve Retention year and Fiscal Year requirements just as the NG/Reserves would in order to get a good year that counts towards retirement. You still work for points just as the Guard and regular reserve assignments do. You can be promoted as long as you occupy a position that authorizes the higher grade. Your personnel records are maintained by Air Reserve Personnel Center. You work and train with your active duty counterparts. If that active duty unit deploys then IMA Officers and NCOs will fill those leadership positions and already be familiar with the base to lead new Airman that will be assigned to replace the deployed troops. Your duty as an IMA will be in Your assigned position as a member of that active duty unit. You can travel on orders to attend schools within the USAF but of course have to be recommended by the active duty unit Commander to do so. You can of course participate in ECI Courses, Extension Course Institute (Correspondence courses) through the USAF. In order to retire, like the NG or Regular AF Reserves You need to get Your 20 year letter. As far as I know only the USAF and the US Coast Guard has an IMA program unless that's changed which I suppose is possible.
I hope that answers some of Your questions about the IMA program, if You have more just ask.

I've never been IMA, but I'm thinking about it.