Posted on Nov 7, 2019
How can I transfer back to IRR from the "Try One" program?
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I enlisted with a 4 x 4 contract with active duty, and completed my active obligation with an honorable discharge in 2018. A year goes by a 79V comes to me and offers me to do the "Try One" program. She assures me that if I do not like it I can just switch back to IRR, no questions asked since all it took was a 4187 to put me in. Long story short, I want to go back to the IRR because of personal, financial reasons but the unit is telling me that I "may or may not be able to go back" depending on the brigade or command. What the hell? Did I get scammed or something? I've been looking up regulations and I've yet to find anything on this program except for the fact that it is on the Army Reserves website but the details are very vague. It doesn't seem fair that the Army has this program to trick IRR Soldiers into the USAR and locks them in at the commander's discretion. The only reason I signed the 4187 because it's a "trial program" and I was told if I didn't like it, then I could go back. What are my options here?
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 7
A recruiter told you you could do what you want "no questions asked"...
And you bought that, with 4 years of previous military experience.
The "trial program" is the whole 12 month "Try One". You "try it" for the whole one year.
The approval authority for your transfer back to the IRR is the first two-star in your chain of command, and your BN and BDE commanders get to recommend or non-recommend.
And that process takes about 4-6 months when everyone is going to bat for you.
Do your drills and ETS. Or go to your BC with a well-worded MFR that details exactly how staying in a drilling status puts undue financial strain on you and your family, and start the long separation process that might beat your ETS by 3 months.
And you bought that, with 4 years of previous military experience.
The "trial program" is the whole 12 month "Try One". You "try it" for the whole one year.
The approval authority for your transfer back to the IRR is the first two-star in your chain of command, and your BN and BDE commanders get to recommend or non-recommend.
And that process takes about 4-6 months when everyone is going to bat for you.
Do your drills and ETS. Or go to your BC with a well-worded MFR that details exactly how staying in a drilling status puts undue financial strain on you and your family, and start the long separation process that might beat your ETS by 3 months.
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CPL Lance Storm
You're right I should've known better than to trust them. With that being said I appreciate the info SGM. I'll request an open door policy with the commander/1SG.
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You're recruiter didn't lie, you can go back to the IRR once you finish your year. The whole purpose of the year is to see if you like it. It's not a trick, you weren't locked in at the Commanders discretion, you signed a DD4 that clearly stated you were enlisting for a year.
Just knock out the drills and go back into the IRR.
Just knock out the drills and go back into the IRR.
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CPL Lance Storm
I didn't sign a DD-4. All i signed was a 4187. Only DD-4 I signed was my initial contract stating I was obligated to serve 4 years and 21 weeks of active service and 0 years and 0 months of reserve time,
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SFC (Join to see)
CPL Lance Storm fair enough, but did it say the word "year" or "12 months" on it? If so, the point still stands. It's a program to try one year.
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CPL Lance Storm
It doesn't say either. The only thing it has is my unit and which slot i'm assigned to on the MTOE. I have no paperwork showing i'm in a "1 year status" which is my main issue.
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PS: be lucky you're in... one day the gate closes... Then you'll be on the outside looking in.
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You'll end up being one of those sad sacks crying when they turn age 60, that they didn't stay in for retirement. Have a talk with your elderly self and remind him how bad you have it... tale of 2 friends and brother 1. Army Reserve retired with 100% VA disability and Social Security $5000 per month.. 2. My brother. USAFR retirement only $700 Mo age 61 .. 3. 6 months USNR 7.5 years IRR.. retirement $0... 62 years...Social Security age 70... me 63.. VA disability 194% ... SSDI...OPM ..$5800 per month.. 16 good years... no Reserve Retirement. THINK...
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CPL Lance Storm
If you're not going to contribute to the question in a professional manner, then see yourself out. Unlike you I don't need to hang on "the old glory days" to have some bit of relevancy.
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CPL Storm, SFC Sommers, I am an Army Reserve Career Counselor. Call or email me. Let me look at your current status. If you are still in the IRR, you can transfer in to a USAR unit, without a contract or going to MEPS. But, if you no longer have an obligation, you will have to see a recruiter.
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I am based out of Indianapolis. We can do everything over phone and email.
Cell. [login to see]
email. [login to see]
I am based out of Indianapolis. We can do everything over phone and email.
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CPL Lance Storm
Not interested. My post was trying to get back into the IRR from the USAR, I'm in the IRR now.
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SFC (Join to see)
Ok, so you got everything straight finally? Operation ROAR is what you where looking for. General Lucky put in a few things to make it a little harder to get out while the USAR was under strength. Sorry you didn’t like it. We all work with different business rules. The try one is normally offered by RCCC when you leave active duty. You contract straight from AD to USAR or NG for one year after your AD ETS. And you know, ARCCs do a 4187 to turn your contract back on for the remainder of your obligation.
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I did the same thing and ended up having the same issue. I’m curious on how your situation played out.
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CPL Lance Storm
Hey brother. So I got my transfer to IRR back in May. The longest part is getting it to go through the channels. I think battalion to brigade was the longest. There’s a clause in the regulation that allows you to separate for completing your active service I believe. I just told them I couldn’t afford to show up because I was promised $350 a month and I ended up getting $150 and after disability deductions I barely made anything. Best thing to do is talk to your command team
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SPC Jaime Benavidez
so I’m in the process of getting transferred to the IRR my “try one” comes to an end August. Supposedly all I need is to talk to retention and the CO and get my paperwork signed. I wonder what happens if it doesn’t get signed by then and my one year is over; I wonder if I still have to show up? I agree with you about not being able to afford to show up just drilling for points.
There was a mix-up or something because they were tracking I waved my IRR time to do basically another contract at least that what I got told. I told them there was no way I did because I know what I signed. Good thing I had my copies of paperwork.
There was a mix-up or something because they were tracking I waved my IRR time to do basically another contract at least that what I got told. I told them there was no way I did because I know what I signed. Good thing I had my copies of paperwork.
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CPL Lance Storm
SPC Jaime Benavidez I signed a 4187 basically transferring me from IRR to USAR. There was no contract or anything. It didn’t even tell me that I was doing a one year trail which I should’ve looked over. I was in a bad state of mind so I wasn’t on the ball but it should’ve been just a transfer. Now I know it’s not the best thing I’ve done but I just stopped showing up until my packet was approved. I’m not sure the repercussions but nothing happened to me. Still honorable discharge, all benefits in tact. There is a clause in the regulation that allows you to separate upon completing you’re active time. Also it should be in your initial contract that you’re obligated to serve time in reserve of your choosing which is either active reserve or IRR. Not sure if any of this helps
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I am currently doing the Try One program myself. You have to finish the year. The only other way out is through chapter which I doubt you want to do.
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SPC None Ofurs
SPC (Join to see)
Thanks for the info. You mean ETS after one year not PCS right? Ever since I got my dd214 and started terminal I don’t want to put ocps on ever again lol I guess I’ll just have to tough it out since I signed a try one already, it’s only one year it can’t be that bad right? As far drill goes what’s did you usually do? How often did you have a pt test? Also can I request transfer to the IRR at all if I don’t like it or After the one year I’m done right like back to irr (in other words I won’t be doing army shit after the try one right?
Thanks for the info. You mean ETS after one year not PCS right? Ever since I got my dd214 and started terminal I don’t want to put ocps on ever again lol I guess I’ll just have to tough it out since I signed a try one already, it’s only one year it can’t be that bad right? As far drill goes what’s did you usually do? How often did you have a pt test? Also can I request transfer to the IRR at all if I don’t like it or After the one year I’m done right like back to irr (in other words I won’t be doing army shit after the try one right?
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SPC None Ofurs
SPC None Ofurs
Also what happens if your unit is deploying and I’m on stabilization what happens? I know it’s a lot of questions but I couldn’t get much info on the try one.
Also what happens if your unit is deploying and I’m on stabilization what happens? I know it’s a lot of questions but I couldn’t get much info on the try one.
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SPC (Join to see)
SPC None Ofurs - Yes, ETS not PCS sorry.
I was a mechanic in a MI unit so really we just kinda sat around all weekend. Trucks don't break down if they are never used. Did maybe one or two services and then it was just kinda waiting.
They were supposed to give me a PT test when I came in but I have a permanent profile (No run, only bike or swim) which required equipment and Covid hit making it so all gyms in the area were for AD only so I never actually had a PT test. They did have one every drill though, but you only needed to do 1 a year.
You signed a contract for 1 year so no, you cannot get out of the contract and go back to the IRR. You will have to finish the year.
After 1 year you will be in the IRR if you have time left on your 8 year contract. If not then you are done and done. Or you can choose to reenlist.
As far as I remember if your unit deploys (As in an actual deployment and not something like the Guard defending the capitol like last year) you just simply stay behind. Not everyone in your unit would be deploying anyway so you will still have drill as normal.
I was a mechanic in a MI unit so really we just kinda sat around all weekend. Trucks don't break down if they are never used. Did maybe one or two services and then it was just kinda waiting.
They were supposed to give me a PT test when I came in but I have a permanent profile (No run, only bike or swim) which required equipment and Covid hit making it so all gyms in the area were for AD only so I never actually had a PT test. They did have one every drill though, but you only needed to do 1 a year.
You signed a contract for 1 year so no, you cannot get out of the contract and go back to the IRR. You will have to finish the year.
After 1 year you will be in the IRR if you have time left on your 8 year contract. If not then you are done and done. Or you can choose to reenlist.
As far as I remember if your unit deploys (As in an actual deployment and not something like the Guard defending the capitol like last year) you just simply stay behind. Not everyone in your unit would be deploying anyway so you will still have drill as normal.
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