It has nothing to do with not being able to find qualified people. The Marines and the Army have been making their recruiting goals..... but, someone needs to be in charge. So, a Sgt that is still on IRR and has the EXPERIENCE could (and should if needed) be called back to active duty to supervise, train, mentor, and LEAD the junior personnel that are enlisting.
When you sign... you usually sign a 4x4, 6x2, or some variation that equals “x” number of years on active duty and and the remainder on IRR... for a grand total of 8 years. From the time you first sign the papers (yes, even while waiting to go to boot camp) the clock starts ticking.
And YES.... there ARE benifits on IRR. VA loans, the GI Bill for school etc etc. When you sign for the benifits you sign for IRR. If you can’t do the active service or handle the following IRR, then don’t enlist at all. If you re-up and do 8 on actvie duty.... guess what? You don’t owe IRR.
I am so sick of people that talk about only signing for benifits, or making benifits such a huge issue. They are incentives and perks, not the only reason to join. If we truly signed to go to college the gummin’t would issue you a letterman sweater and NOT an M-16. The spoiled punk should shut up, sack up and do his damn time like he signed. Its all there in black and white. The key words are “didn’t think” he’d be re-called. Don’t think just do it.
And, its not “Dude you’re a soldier again.” Its dude, you’re still a soldier, because this is what you signed for.” That’s why you don’t get your actual certificate of discharge (not the DD-214) until after your FULL time is up.
And for those quick to knee jerk my remarks... I got the Purple Heart on my second trip to Iraq.... and went back two more times..... I don’t know I heard the words “Honor, Courage, and Commitment” from somewhere; maybe its just the thing to do while my country is at war and because I signed my name and gave my word.
Horse hockey...those benefits you list are provided to every Honorably discharged veteran with or without committment to IRR.
The simple fact remains, this adminsitration has done a crappy job preparing for the mess in Iraq and the veterans are paying the ultimate price..