Troops long out-of-uniform sent to Iraq

AP ^ | 19 Aug 06 | REBECCA SANTANA, AP Writer

[Names Ash Housewares]

Wasnt Kerry on IRR status when he was negotiating with the enemy?

[CharlesWayneCT]

I bet they cashed their reserve checks......

[HANG THE EXPENSE]

This is tough but they did sign the contract and it so states you can be called back to active duty if the service sees the need. guess they do.The guys in WW2 deployed overseas and never saw home until the war was over.It could be worse and we do not need the draft!

[Tailback]

You don't get paid on IRR status.

[dakine]

" but they don't train, draw a paycheck or associate in any other way with the military. "

Reading is Fundamental!

[ArrogantBustard]

they generally still have time left on their contract with the military that is known as "inactive ready reserve" status, or IRR. During that time, they have to let their service know their current address, but they don't train, draw a paycheck or associate in any other way with the military.

Still, it's part of the contract. If you read the article, like I did, you'll find that some of those quoted recognise that fact, and aren't complaining.

[GrandEagle]

It is a 6 year hitch when you sign up. Everyone knows it, it is not hidden.

GE

[DoughtyOne]

You're right. They voluneered knowing the risks. Still, I'm sure it is a real pain to have this come up.

AP just had to throw out that 'backdoor draft' as a brown nose affirmation to the socialists.

[American_Centurion]

IRR does not get paid. Hence the "inactive" part.

Fact is, they signed for 8years commitment, no matter how many active duty or active reserve years their contract was for. That's where IRR soldiers come from. But they do not get paid, and historically IRR soldiers do not get called back except in rare cases. They're needed so they got called, but your uninformed remark about them getting paid implies they didn't intend to do their duty, and based on this article that isn't true.

[ArrogantBustard]

This article is from crAP ... it is an anti-American, fearmongering hit-piece directed at the US Army, with the obvious intention of weakening the war effort by undermining morale in both the military and civilian sectors.

[Dubya]

May God bless and protect all of them.

[calex59]

The guys in WW2 deployed overseas and never saw home until the war was over.It could be worse and we do not need the draft!

Yes, and a lot of those WWII guys got called back in during the Korean war too.

[Clara Lou]

Yes, and a lot of those WWII guys got called back in during the Korean war too.
I didn't realize that. I knew that men served in both wars, I just didn't know about the IRR part.

[CharlesWayneCT]

THanks to ALL of you who corrected me. And yes, reading would be a good idea. :-)

[Lokibob]

If you retire from the military (20 years+), you are subject to recall until age 60.

[5Madman2]

I believe it went to 8 years in the 90's

[ASOC]

My dad and uncle both volunteered for serve in WWII. Uncle was almost killed in the Anzio debacle - and after he was release from hospital. they sent him to England to drive a fire truck - no "magic scratch" back in the day.

Then they were both drafted in '51 for duty in ROK.

Dad is still not real happy with the Army today - some about paid Reserves sitting on their collective asses while folks got drafted.... Unc was a little maore laid back, he got put 'back' into the USAF at a stateside base.

More recently a fiend of the family got stopped loss-ed and sent on another tour to Iraq. His family didn't understand as "the Army has met all recruiting goals" so why the back-door draft?

I'm a vet & this does not make a lot sense to me either.

[WorkingClassFilth]

Yes. On the other hand, you might also say that he was actually serving his true duty when he met with the communists, carried their water, denigrated his fellow (American) soldiers, conspired with anti-American forces and entered into a career of being a leftist crapweasel. As a communist stooge, he served his chosen goals admirably.

[5Madman2]

Actually it is up to 30 years total service. IOW, I retired in 99 after 21 yrs, six months. I am subject to recall until roughly 2008. Unless they changed it while I wasn't looking.