Inactive Reserve ordered to report

Update 5/17/04 There is still no broader coverage, but I have found a bit more information which is included at the end of this article.

On the local news last night I heard that the I.R.R. (Inactive Reserve) are being mobilized, and are to make contact by Monday. I am having difficulty finding any real information about this. From the report last night, Inactive Reservists need to contact their commanders to get more information and indicate their assignment preferences. This call up effects about 120,000 Reservists in Oregon and Washington. Apparently Oregon and Washington are not the only states being recalled. The Tennessee Army National Guard is holding family mobilization meetings and are leaving for Camp Shelby (Miss.) on June 17th. In a press release from Army Public Affairs, "obiligated" IRR soldiers are being screened for possible assignments.

The commander interviewed last night was shocked by the mobilization, and that the order had only gone out on the web (which site was not noted). He said that Inactive Reservists would be getting letters - probably Monday. The only direct information I found was National Guard and Reserve Mobilized as of May 12, 2004 from the DoD link.

If you have any information, please let me know.
UPDATE - 1700 pacific time
Well still can't find anything in print, but the TV news says that the Portland Inactive Reserve should report to the National Guard Armory to put in their assignment preferences. Those who do not will be involunarily assigned.

5/17/04 Update - Finally found these tidbits:
5/12/04 McHugh, Army Times, Army screens 118,000 inactive reservists for possible call-up

The Army has begun screening members of the Individual Ready Reserve to determine who would be available to be called to active duty if needed, a spokesman said Wednesday.

The soldiers are not formally attached to any specific reserve unit but would be assigned to an active or reserve unit if needed.

5/14/04 Bend.com, Army Reserve policy change triggers Guard issues - Many inactive soldiers face involuntary assignment unless they re-enlist

May 14 - SALEM - A quietly released change in the way the Army tracks and controls Army Reserve soldiers in inactive status has led to a recruiting spike over the past several days for both the U.S. Army Reserve and the Oregon Army National Guard, officials said Friday.

5/13/04 Army Public Affairs, Screening of Obligated Individual Ready Reserve Soldiers for Possible Assignment to Army Reserve Units

The Army's Human Resources Command - St. Louis (HRC-STL), is identifying Individual Ready Reserve Soldiers with a statutory Military Service Obligation (MSO) remaining for possible assignment to an Army Reserve unit. These Soldiers may be assigned to position vacancy requirements within designated Reserve units based upon the needs of the Army.
At this time, there have been no involuntary assignments of IRR Soldiers to any Army Reserve units. The HRC-STL is identifying IRR Soldiers for possible assignment. HRC-STL is responsible for the management of all Army IRR soldiers and has standard business processes in place.

The Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) consists of over 118,000 trained Soldiers who may be called upon to fill vacancies in Army Reserve units and may replace Soldiers in Active and Reserve Units. Part of the Army's Ready Reserve, the IRR involves individuals who have had training, served previously in the Active Component or the Selected Reserve (such as a member of an Army Reserve unit), and may have some period of military service obligation remaining. Unlike new recruits, these are seasoned, experienced Soldiers who can contribute significantly to Army readiness. All Soldiers have a statutory eight-year military service obligation (MSO), which is established at the time of entry into military service (Active or Reserve).

The IRR, as it exists, is mandated by Congress under Title 10 of the U.S. Code. In accordance with implementing instructions contained in Army Regulation 135-91, members of the IRR can be required to join an Army Reserve unit if they are statutorily obligated and have a skill needed by the Army.

If a member of the IRR desires to volunteer to join a Reserve unit, they may call the Army's Human Resources Command - St Louis at 1(800) 318-5298, or send an email to the appropriate office. More information on volunteering for mobilization is available within the Mobilization area of our site.

Additional questions and answers regarding this will be placed at a later date on the HRC-STL Web site: www.hrc.army.mil.