Individual Ready Reserves, Be Prepared

All individuals who enter military service incur a military service obligation (MSO) of eight (8) total years from the date of enlistment, appointment, or when authorized by law, induction into one of the Services. Any portion of those eight years that is not on active duty or active duty for training shall be performed in a Reserve component as defined in 10 USC (Sections 10101, 10142, and 10143).

Military Obligated Service

The date on which you complete your 8 years of military obligated service is listed on the DD 214, Block 6. You are eligible for recall by the military services if you have not completed your eight years of MSO. Additionally, if the ‘Mailing Address After Separation’ in block 19a, listed on the DD214 is incorrect, the mobilization orders may be delayed in getting to you, thus narrowing your response time to request a delay or exemption.

Deadline to Request Delay

The Services require you to respond quickly when they issue you a set of orders. Usually you only have 4 – 8 weeks before you report for duty. They need your request for a delay or an exemption within 14 days of the date of the orders. This allows them to amend your orders and issue orders to another individual to replace you on the mobilization.

Requests Due to Hardship

The process is not difficult but does require adherence to the process steps and requirements. Present the facts with supporting documentation that verifies your statements. Reasons for delays or exemptions from the mobilization orders include extreme personal hardship, extreme community hardship, medical disqualification, and administrative reasons. These categories seem broad, but allow for individual ready reserve members to present their facts and concerns for the Service to delay or complete exempt from duty.

Be Prepared, Know What Your DD214 Says

Know where your DD 214 is and keep a copy. Know your individual ready reserve date when you are no longer subject to recall (usually 8 years after your initial entry into the military). Keep your current address, phone number and Email updated with your former Service so any mobilization orders are delivered to you without delay. This maximizes the amount of time available to you to request a delay or exemption from duty. A checklist of the IRR delay and exemption process is located on the Law Firm of Puckett & Faraj, PC website: Common Questions, IRR Delay and Exemptions

The Army has been executing the individual ready reserve (IRR) activation to meet its OIF/OEF manpower deployment requirements. Each military member has an 8-year military service obligation. If you separate before 8 years you are entered into the individual ready reserve and are subject to recall. The Army Regulation 601-25, Delay in Reporting and Exemption from Active Duty, outlines the policy for requesting a delay or an exemption from activation. Each Service has similar policies and procedures for requesting a delay or exemption from military recall.

Delay or Exemption

A delay in reporting allows the member time to resolve a temporary medical issue or resolve a personal issue or provide temporary support to an immediate family member. An example for an exemption from activation involves identifying a long-term medical issue that disqualifies a member from duty.

Criteria for Exemption

Delay and exemption requirements, process and the criteria reasons included extreme personal, community hardship, medical, and administrative hardships. These are defined in AR601-25 and Army Human Resource Commands current guidance (June 09). Extreme personal hardship (delay or exemption) substantial adverse impact on a dependent’s health and welfare. Extreme community hardship (delay or exemption) is mobilization would have a substantial adverse effect on the health, safety or welfare of the community. Temporary medical exemptions (delay only) include pregnancy, treatment for a illness or injury or temporary incapacitation due to a medical condition that requires hospitalization or medical supervision. An Administrative reason (delay or exemption) an error with a Soldier’s personnel record; transfer to another branch of service; or currently enrolled in college or professional schooling. NOTE: Employers of a Soldier must initiate a Key or Emergency Essential Employee request, see Army Personnel Policy Guidance, Chapter 1-5, 703-693-2241 for further instructions.

Army Regulation Plus Current Guidance

The process to request a delay or exemption is generally outlined in AR601-25, but is specifically addressed in the Delay and Exemption Guidance sent to each IRR Soldier when ordered to active duty. The current guidance from AHRC is dated June 2009. If you receive orders and are experiencing a hardship as described above, the first thing required is to fill in the memo in Annex A of the guidance and fax it to AHRC within 14 days of the date of the orders. This allows AHRC to open a file and place your activation “on hold” until your case can be adjudicated. All supporting documentation for your exemption request can follow this initial fax.

14-Day Deadline

Remember it is critically important for you to fax your signed and dated memo to AHRC within 14 days of the date on your activation orders. If you miss this deadline, and truly are dealing with a hardship, call the AHRC Delay and Exemption Team to determine your options.