Army is Calling Up Individual Ready Reserve
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.
