Posted on Jul 13, 2025
If someone completes an initial obligation and signs a Reserve contract, will they be allowed to stop work or can they legally separate?
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My friend had a question for me that i do not know the answer to. He has just completed his 8 year initial military obligation. He has also just signed a 3 year non obligated reserve contract in the navy reserves with no bonus. Does that mean he is allowed to stop coming or is he allowed to legally separate? Im just not sure what non ob mean?
Posted in these groups: 
Navy Reserve
Navy Reserve
Posted 5 mo ago
Responses: 2
The confusion may be because many think a non-obligated contract is synonymous with the IRR (it's not).
The correct short answer: If they want to get out, do it the right way - submit to transfer to the IRR (notify CoC, submit NAVRES 1300/4, etc.) for the remainder of their contract.
However, I think your friend is asking the "what will happen" type question.
As they are non-obligated and don't have a bonus, the formal 'teeth' for the consequences are minimal, but if they just 'stop coming' the bridges that are burned can be substantial (OTH discharge for being dropped from the rolls, etc.) even causing issues with their existing "honorably served veteran" status (legally no .. but can it cause bureaucratic issues? Yes).
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* U.S. Navy Reserve (IRR Force Management Division) - https://www.navyreserve.navy.mil/Resources/-IRR-Individual-Ready-Reserve/
The correct short answer: If they want to get out, do it the right way - submit to transfer to the IRR (notify CoC, submit NAVRES 1300/4, etc.) for the remainder of their contract.
However, I think your friend is asking the "what will happen" type question.
As they are non-obligated and don't have a bonus, the formal 'teeth' for the consequences are minimal, but if they just 'stop coming' the bridges that are burned can be substantial (OTH discharge for being dropped from the rolls, etc.) even causing issues with their existing "honorably served veteran" status (legally no .. but can it cause bureaucratic issues? Yes).
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* U.S. Navy Reserve (IRR Force Management Division) - https://www.navyreserve.navy.mil/Resources/-IRR-Individual-Ready-Reserve/
Individual Ready Reserve (IRR)
The Navy Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) is a force that consists of personnel who must fulfill their MSO under 10 U.S.C., 651, members fulfilling a service obligation incurred via contract, and those who have fulfilled their MSO but voluntarily remain in the IRR. The IRR is composed of the Active Status Pool (ASP) and the Volunteer Training Unit (VTU). The ASP is a manpower pool consisting of individuals who have previously served in the...
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PO3 (Join to see)
Thank you COL, what is the non obligated portion and does that mean he can drop to IRR status? As in is that what its referring to?
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COL Randall C.
PO3 (Join to see) - The "non-obligated" simply refers to their having fulfilled their Mandatory Service Obligation requirement (i.e., they aren't in the SELRES because they have an obligation to fulfill).
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PO3 (Join to see)
COL Randall C. Ok COL, understood. Does the non obligated portion make them more likely to approve the IRR drop?
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COL Randall C.
PO3 (Join to see) - Not really. Approval really depends on their situation, relationship with the unit, policy, leadership philosophy, etc.
Hypothetically, they could have a unit that really doesn't care and just rubber stamps all paperwork. On the other hand, they might have one where they deny everything unless forced into it.
Most likely, they'll have to sit down with leadership and give a reason for their wanting to transfer to the IRR or terminate their contract early. Why do they want to leave? Is it a personal situation the unit can help out with/adapt to or is a situation with this specific unit? Is transferring to the IRR/curtailing the contract the only option available to address the situation? etc.
Generally, if they are in a satisfactory status, don't have any pending adverse administrative actions, etc.
One additional note: The Navy has two IRR programs as well as two Standby Reserve programs*. Which exact program they would be transferring to will depend on their situation.
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* MILPERSMAN 1001-125 Requirements for Transfer From Selected Reserve...) - https://www.mynavyhr.navy.mil/Portals/55/Reference/MILPERSMAN/1000/1000General/1001-125.pdf
Hypothetically, they could have a unit that really doesn't care and just rubber stamps all paperwork. On the other hand, they might have one where they deny everything unless forced into it.
Most likely, they'll have to sit down with leadership and give a reason for their wanting to transfer to the IRR or terminate their contract early. Why do they want to leave? Is it a personal situation the unit can help out with/adapt to or is a situation with this specific unit? Is transferring to the IRR/curtailing the contract the only option available to address the situation? etc.
Generally, if they are in a satisfactory status, don't have any pending adverse administrative actions, etc.
One additional note: The Navy has two IRR programs as well as two Standby Reserve programs*. Which exact program they would be transferring to will depend on their situation.
----------------------------------------------
* MILPERSMAN 1001-125 Requirements for Transfer From Selected Reserve...) - https://www.mynavyhr.navy.mil/Portals/55/Reference/MILPERSMAN/1000/1000General/1001-125.pdf
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Col Cudworth nailed it as always. Non -obligated contracts does not equal IRR. They are two different things. Your friend needs to talk to the actual professionals and stop talking to barracks lawyers. Direct them to S1 and the other appropriate players on the game board and honestly afterwards I would wash my hands of it and keep my distance. Folks like this have a tendency of burning bridges and lashing out at folks when things don't go their way. They take misinformation to the bank and get real punchy when they discover it was all BS.
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