Can I continue earning good years as an IMA (Individual Mobilization Augmentee) without risk of deploying?

2018-02-22T22:31:12-05:00

I'm currently drilling with the Guard and returned from deployment about a year ago. I don't want to do that to my family again, so I'm looking into my options as far as separation, IRR, IMA and anything else that may exist. Would IMA be a valid option to have a minimal time commitment and still continue making good years towards retirement? Would I need to deploy?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 22 at 2018 10:37 PM

2018-02-22T22:37:23-05:00

Sir, IMA would be a good option. However, IRR is also a possibility, where you just fulfill your two week AT per year, and that is it. In order to receive a "good year" you need to participate in some sort of AT.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 23 at 2018 8:03 AM

2018-02-23T08:03:32-05:00

Brett-In the Navy Reserve, I know it was difficult to stay SELRES (paid to drill), even 12 months out from end of voluntary MOB and deployment without being automatically sent to the IRR. Depending on one's civilian situation (employment/family/finances/etc), it can be a real challenge to get the required points for a "good" year in the IRR; though individual experiences may vary, and vary across service branch. The advice given to me (at the ten year mark) was to list to redeploy within that 12 months to restart the clock (at the time, virtually guaranteed it).

Just my theory, for what that's worth, but I think the deal is that they wanted to convince as many officers who got the IRAD, but wanted to continue to serve to VOL-MOB, without bringing them back onto AD...while making it very hard for SELRES to continue to collect monthly pay without deploying. It has pros and cons if true...but it sure seems like a good way to avoid the costs of full-time personnel while cutting retirement costs for non-deploying reserves.

I don't know squat about IMA (other than what is publicized) but assume it is similar, if not identical to our "IA" program...which basically means individual mobilization. If true, and you don't want to re-deploy, that could be a roll of the dice.

Army personnel will have more gouge, but having navigated the Reserve maze before...my advice would be to consider that continuing through to retirement likely means at least making yourself available to deployment (for us that meant putting yourself on the voluntary list).

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 28 at 2018 8:43 PM

2018-02-28T20:43:35-05:00

I was hoping for something similar to what is discussed in these articles about the USAF IMA. Any ideas on how to find these positions?

http://www.arpc.afrc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1071699/flexible-service-individual-reserve-offers-unique-opportunities/

https://www.stripes.com/news/part-time-air-force-program-offers-job-without-deployment-1.42635

Flexible Service: Individual Reserve offers unique opportunities

The Individual Reserve program offers service members a flexible way to continue serving.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Mar 1 at 2018 11:32 AM

2018-03-01T11:32:06-05:00

Sir, understand it's tough on families, it was tough on mine. With that in mind- you know there is a push on forcing folks who are non-deployable to get out- because it is unjust compared to those who have deployed 4,5,6,7+ times in the past 10-20 years.

Response by SMSgt Thor Merich made Nov 13 at 2019 7:07 PM

2019-11-13T19:07:35-05:00

In the Air Force, IMA’s don’t deploy. Each IMA, is assigned a certain position. The purpose is to backfill the active duty folks that do deploy. In a perfect world, the active duty member would be deployed. A IMA would be placed on orders to backfill the active member who deployed.

My position is the Operations Superintendent. I have been placed on orders the fill in for my active duty counterpart when he is unavailable (deployed, schools, leave, etc).

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 13 at 2019 7:17 PM

2019-11-13T19:17:13-05:00

6 deployments in 15 years. Then I went to Recruiting school and met an E9 who had never deployed, met instructors who dropped their Recruiter packet in Sep/Oct 2001. It's the Army and there is plenty of work to be done. If you dont want to deploy you should've joined the Coast Guard...oh wait, even they've deployed.

It's hard on all of us, but it's the job we signed a contract for. Decision is simple, if you can handle deployments stay in, if not get out and make room for others who will.

I understand your point and looking for a chance to stay in, but that's not leadership, that's being a career focused Officer, which there are far too many. No ones career matters, only the mission does. Wanting to "stay in towards retirement but not deploy" is like moving out of your parents house but still wanting an allowance.