From an IRR Soldier's perspective, do you feel IRR Soldiers deserve medical, dental or even educational benefits? Why do they or do they not?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 Nov 2016 16:51:48 -0500

Response by MAJ Rene De La Rosa made Nov 29 at 2016 5:05 PM

MAJ Rene De La Rosa — Tue, 29 Nov 2016 17:05:44 -0500

This is a tough question. If not on active duty orders, then the IRR SM is expected to make it on their own. However, if they are called up for AD, then they would be eligible for benefits. It all comes down to cost, and with the federal government downsizing everything, this should come as no surprise.

Response by SMSgt Thor Merich made Nov 29 at 2016 5:48 PM

SMSgt Thor Merich — Tue, 29 Nov 2016 17:48:57 -0500

It depends on the time they spend on AD. I know some IRR folks that actually volunteer often and spend a fair amount of time on AD orders. But if someone is just doing the minimum while on IRR status, then they don't deserve the same benefits as other types of reserves.

Response by COL Jon Thompson made Nov 29 at 2016 8:56 PM

COL Jon Thompson — Tue, 29 Nov 2016 20:56:22 -0500

As far as medical and dental benefits, I think you can make an argument that they should be eligible for Tricare-Reserve benefits since they have to pay for that coverage and are still subject to recall. So that would make sense to me. As far as educational benefits, I would say that should be determined by what they earned prior to going into the IRR. Most IRR service members are only completing their basic military service obligation so anything they get should be minimal.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Nov 29 at 2016 10:06 PM

SGM Erik Marquez — Tue, 29 Nov 2016 22:06:36 -0500

Not to be too blunt, but no.... they are NOT in the military, simply a name and address that MAY in times of war be called upon. Very few IRR have been called back to duty....once back they get all benefits, pay due them.. Once out they get none of that, no differnt than the day you quite IBM, Wal-Mart, Bank Of America, USAA, or any other buisness... once you quit (and let's be real here, those in IRR said thanks, but Im out, ie they quit.) once you quit a job, the benefits that job provided stop as well as the direct pay.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Nov 30 at 2016 8:21 AM

Cpl Justin Goolsby — Wed, 30 Nov 2016 08:21:02 -0500

I'm 50/50. There's a part of me that believes they should get medical and dental simply because they are still under contract and there's a possibility they could get activated. As a government asset, we should be taking care of them until we no longer need them. On the flip side, most people who complete the active portion of their contract immediately get out and do everything they weren't allowed to do in the military. Get fat. Get piercings in all sorts of places. Get tattoos galore. Maybe even smoke a little dope. So I'd wager a good majority of inactives probably disqualify themselves from regular service anyways, so then what's the point of providing further benefits.

The only reason I didn't discuss educational is because of the GI bill.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Nov 30 at 2016 10:27 AM

CAPT Kevin B. — Wed, 30 Nov 2016 10:27:41 -0500

My opinion is surely skewed because I never had a good experience with an IRR who came back. They were more than stale and were high maintenance. This was more on the officer side. They didn't keep up on professional skill sets, especially in contracting. That was our greatest gap post 911. So in my community, I'd say no to benefits and question the need for an IRR program period. So I'm sure the "results may vary" disclaimer is appropriate. I'd say a better first question would be "Is having an IRR program worth it"? That means you have to define "worth". If it is worth it, then the non salary compensation should match the worth. If there isn't much worth, then the paucity of remuneration pretty much tells the story. Name, address, and a legal quick hook with no outlay? Maybe not a bad idea, but again, what do you get for it?

Response by SFC Stephen P. made Dec 3 at 2016 6:42 PM

SFC Stephen P. — Sat, 03 Dec 2016 18:42:27 -0500

Not as a benefit, but for the purpose of readiness I think all categories of service members available for deployment should have basic medical care at no expense. If the cost to the service is too great, the member should be discharged.

There have been improvements to IRR management, but years ago it was quite common for us to come across IRR troops who were severely disabled, or even deceased. At a minimum we should enforce the annual PHA requirement if not the full musters.

Tricare Dental is available to the IRR.

Education benefits when viewed as a retention tool are not relevant since the service has little interest in retaining members in the IRR. When viewed as a development tool, they are not relevant since the service has little interest in developing members of the IRR.

From the perspective of the IRR soldier (not all but the vast majority), he is not a soldier but a veteran. He has medical benefits from the VA. His education benefits are from the VA.

From an ARCC's perspective, extending those benefits is counter-productive to our mission of transferring them to SELRES.