Dover Reserve wing hosts IRR muster

by Senior Airman Joe Yanik
512th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

5/19/2014 - DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del.  -- The 512th Airlift Wing hosted a muster for more than 170 Air Force Individual Ready Reserve members May 17 at the base theater.

No longer performing their Air Force jobs, these individuals are IRR members because they still have time remaining on their statutory military service obligation or they have time remaining on another contracted agreement. They remain in the IRR until the end of their obligation or if they decide to re-affiliate with the Air Force Reserve or Air National Guard.

The information gathered from musters is used to ensure surge capability of the Reserve forces in the event of a national emergency or a contingency. IRR members are still considered a mobilization asset by the Department of Defense.

During the muster, IRR members had opportunities to update their medical, employment and personal information with the Air Reserve Personnel Center. For those who did not already have an IRR identification card, the base's customer service center was open to issue them. Possessing this ID card allows the member to access a variety of base services, including Airmen and Family Readiness programs and commissary shopping.

Participants also received briefings about their responsibilities as IRR members and available benefits through Veterans Affairs.

"It's important the folks here know about the benefits they are receiving now with Veterans Affairs and when they become veterans after separation," said Grafton Sconion, a VA benefits advisor. "Some of the information we provide today might even serve as an incentive for them to re-affiliate."

Col. Raymond A. Kozak, the 512th AW commander, during his welcoming remarks, encouraged the IRR members to consider learning more about the available job opportunities within the wing, either as an Air Force civilian employee, traditional reservist or air reserve technician.

To answer any questions about some of those positions, Senior Master Sgt. David Drake and Master Sgt. Ken Bachman, 512th AW recruiters, met with the IRR members. Bachman said more than 30 of them expressed interest in an AF job and re-training opportunities at Dover Air Force Base and in the Washington, D.C., metro area.

One of them was Jessup Olson, who said he inquired about operations positions in the Liberty Wing. Already trained as an airfield manager with the Air National Guard, he said he looks forward to continuing dialogue with Bachman about getting a slot for training as a loadmaster.

Organized by the 512th Force Support Squadron, the muster screening at Dover AFB is one of 24 musters the Air Reserve Personnel Center has scheduled nationwide for fiscal 2014.

"I've been attending musters for the past 15 years, and this one by far, is one of the best-organized musters I've been to," said Drake.

To learn more about the responsibilities, terms and benefits associated with the Air Force IRR, view the IRR factsheet available on through the ARPC website.