IRR muster a success

  • Published
  • By Capt. Rebecca A. Garcia
  • 459 Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. --  The 459th Air Refueling Wing hosted the second Individual Ready Reserve muster of this year at the theater here, Aug. 21. The purpose of the event was to check the eligibility status of IRR members within 150 miles of the base and inform them of all their current Reserve benefits.

Musters serve as an opportunity for Inactive Reserve members to update their personnel and medical records, ensuring full readiness in case of a recall to duty.

Individuals were briefed on member entitlements, such as the Post 9/11 GI Bill, Reserve Tri-care benefits and Reserve service possibilities, such as: being a Traditional Reservist, Individual Mobilization Augmentee or Air Reserve Technician.

Col. William T. Patchett welcomed the IRR members to the wing on behalf of Col. James "Mike" Allman, 459th ARWcommander, and encouraged the IRR members to consider military service opportunities within the Reserve.

"Sometimes people think they've grown too old to do certain things," said Colonel Patchett, "but you are never passed the point where you can still do something good for your country."

Some IRR members were looking forward to the muster and the opportunity to speak to Reserve recruiters.

"I would be interested in getting back in [to military service]," said Ryan Copeland, an IRR member. "I have a few questions and it's been a little difficult to figure it all out online. I miss the Air Force, so this is kind of fun."

141 individuals attended the muster. Based on data taken after the event, 23 showed an interest in re-entering Reserve service and three were ready to sign up at the muster.

"Our Inactive Reserve force plays a vital role in our ability to continue to support our great nation," said Senior Master Sgt. Terry Taylor, 459th ARW Reserve recruiter.

This muster also included a study by the Air Reserve Personnel Center. ARPC sent an analyst to review the possibility of making parts of the muster virtual.

"I am observing the muster process in order to consider 'virtualizing' a portion of the process," said Master Sgt. Carrie Doolen, Headquarters ARPC systems analyst. "75 percent of the people that come are only here to update their information and that could be virtual."