Posted on Oct 28, 2016
My Sixth year with the Army Reserves is approaching come October, 2017 and I am wondering, how does this all work? Is there an IR component?
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Alexandra, I'd like to share one of the BEST KEPT secrets in the Reserve side of the Army. Even if you decide you don't want to stay, consider the IMA (Individual Mobilization Augmentee) / JRU (Joint Reserve Units). From 2002 - 2012 I was assigned to a variety of IMA and JRU units (between an OEF tour and a 2yr tour in GE). I didn't do a single "one weekend a month" for over ten years. I'd be placed on orders (generally around Sept that would cover my AT and once those expired I'd do my "drill" / battle assembly days until 01 Oct (Fiscal Year change), then do the same thing for the following FY. All in all about 70-80 days ever 2 YEARS. There are scores of units OCONUS, in each COCOM and within the Army itself. SOME were PRETTY sexy assignments.
***2002-2005, I was a IMA Civil Affairs Officer in the G36 (Plans Branch at the US Army JFK Special Warfare Center, Ft. Bragg). I was airborne qualified before there and actually got to participate in jumps.
***2005-2007 (Because I got my clearance up'd) went to the US Army Space and Missile Defense Command at Peterson AFB. In addition to orders I went to a 14 week school and spent a month in Korea.
***2007-2009 (OEF)
***2009-2012 I was an IMA/JRU at Special Operations Command Europe working in the Ops Center. I did my AT/Drills, went on 1yr orders. Finished, did AT/Drill and took another 6 months there. Almost 2 yrs in Germany as a Reserve.
The SECRET to getting a SHOT at these jobs is to know where they are and be SQUARED AWAY. There are plenty of jobs for E4+. Some MOSs are needed by some jobs are just "warm bodies..."
To search for these positions you have to access Army HRC's website and look for positions under IMA/JRU.
MAJ KPB
***2002-2005, I was a IMA Civil Affairs Officer in the G36 (Plans Branch at the US Army JFK Special Warfare Center, Ft. Bragg). I was airborne qualified before there and actually got to participate in jumps.
***2005-2007 (Because I got my clearance up'd) went to the US Army Space and Missile Defense Command at Peterson AFB. In addition to orders I went to a 14 week school and spent a month in Korea.
***2007-2009 (OEF)
***2009-2012 I was an IMA/JRU at Special Operations Command Europe working in the Ops Center. I did my AT/Drills, went on 1yr orders. Finished, did AT/Drill and took another 6 months there. Almost 2 yrs in Germany as a Reserve.
The SECRET to getting a SHOT at these jobs is to know where they are and be SQUARED AWAY. There are plenty of jobs for E4+. Some MOSs are needed by some jobs are just "warm bodies..."
To search for these positions you have to access Army HRC's website and look for positions under IMA/JRU.
MAJ KPB
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LTC Stephen C.
Good advice, MAJ Keira Brennan. After I got promoted, I was, for the most part, booted out of my TPU. Contacted the signal guy in St. Louis and ended up with an IMA joint tour that eclipsed anything I'd ever done in a TPU. SPC(P) Alexandra Hinds
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CPT (Join to see)
Ma'am, how would one go about searching for these positions? Is my career counselor the only option or is there a database?
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CPT (Join to see)
CPT (Join to see) - I'll answer myself. You can find them on HRC under the tools section.
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Meaning, I am coming up on the sixth year with the United States Army Reserves. I am certain I signed up for six years however, I know you do a full eight. If I did, in fact sign up for only six, what do they offer me after the sixth comes around? I have heard a lot of talk about the IR however, still have no idea what it means or what it offers as far as ending my contract for 8. This may seem like a ridiculous or even a stupid question but if you know anything, please comment after me. Thank you again.
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MSG (Join to see)
SPC(P) Alexandra Hinds - I'm here to help. I'm actually surprised your NCOs and CoC didn't provide this answer.
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SFC (Join to see)
SPC(P) Alexandra Hinds The person that you really need to talk to is your local Army Reserve Career Counselor. They can advise you on all the current options for your MOS. If you are unsure sure how to get in touch with them send me a private message with what unit you are in and I can look up in my system at work and find out who the Counselor is who covers that unit and get you a good contact number.
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Suspended Profile
MSG (Join to see) - Is it even necessary to talk to RPAC/Career Counselor? When I came about my sixth year all I was told to do was either keep coming to drill or request the transfer into the IRR. I know you can forego the time, I was informed though that you don't even need to make a request. Either that or my CoC was lazy when I came around to my contractual obligation.
MSG (Join to see)
SPC Joshua Swartz - I gave that guidance as I feel it's going to be better for the Soldier based on the experience some of my Soldiers have had here in SLC with our RPAC (as they want ETSing Soldiers to come to them). Besides, it couldn't hurt.
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