Reservists muster for annual screening

by Airman Ashley Williams
121st Air Refueling Wing

8/10/2015 - RICKENBACKER AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Ohio -- More than 150 members of the Individual Ready Reserve gathered to participate in a Muster July 31, at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base.

A Muster is a screening for IRR members to update their personal information and receive information about the benefits they're entitled to as an IRR member.

"The IRR members are mandated by law to do an annual screening," said Tech. Sgt. David Smith, a personnel service technician with the Air Reserve Personnel Center, Denver, Colo. "The screening can be by writing or face-to-face, which is the purpose of this Muster today."

All previous military members, in their first enlistment, are required to fulfill their remaining military service obligation of eight years in the IRR. For example, if the military member completed six years of active military service, the remaining two years would be completed in the IRR.

"Any IRR member living within 150 miles of Rickenbacker was called here today to participate," said Tech. Sgt. Smith. "It's a great way for them to see what's going on and to know their role in the IRR."

The members were split into five chalks and taken through individual stations for briefings about the benefits in which they're entitled.

Stations available for the members included one with a Veterans Affairs representative, one with information on IRR responsibilities, ID card processing and a recruiting assistant for those interested in re-enlisting.

"My purpose today is to provide the members with information on what jobs are available to them," said Senior Airman Bethany Trona-Farler, a recruiting assistant with the 121st Air Refueling Wing. "Some of the people that come in are almost halfway there and we want to help them come back and finish out their careers if they're interested."

Members that showed interest were provided with information to learn about the Air National Guard and what jobs were available in the state.

"I believe that today was very beneficial because you tend to lose track of what you're entitled to as a Veteran," said Kara Hurley, an IRR attendee from Tarlton. "I know a lot of Veterans that need this type of assistance and the resources out there are just not as easy to get unless you know who to contact."

Not every base holds a Muster annually, each year a request for volunteers is sent out and from there the individual bases can decide to participate.

"We were delighted to assist in this important Total Force program," said Col. Mark D. Auer, 121st ARW commander. "It was also a wonderful opportunity to thank them for their years of service and commitment to be ready if the nation calls again."