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U.S. Army Voluntary Recall Program

Friday, May 1, 2020

What is it?

The U.S Army Voluntary Recall Program manages the recall of retirees to active duty. These voluntary recalls are a part of the Army’s plan for a mass mobilization. There are two population groups available to the Army for recall:

  • Individual Ready Reserve (IRR): consists of trained Soldiers who have previously served in the Active component or Selected Reserve, It is comprised primarily of Soldiers who need to fulfill their Military Service Obligation.
  • Retired Soldiers: are those who have completed their service obligation and are either receiving a retired annuity or are considered a gray-area retiree - Soldiers retired from the Selected Reserve who are not yet eligible to draw a retirement annuity.

Army’s Human Resources Command is responsible for determining if retirees qualify for recall.

What are the current and past efforts of the Army?

The Army reached out to more than 800,000 IRR and retired Soldiers to actively seek volunteers to return to the Army team to assist with Coronavirus pandemic response efforts. The Army currently has:

  • Sixty-five voluntary recalled retirees supporting specialty requirements including Aviators, Chaplains, and low-density trainers at Army schools.
  • IRR members on voluntary orders working in Headquarters and many other units across the Army.

In the past, voluntary retiree recalls have been conducted several times to support:

  • Desert Storm: mobilized IRR and retired Soldiers served as planners and facilitators.
  • 9/11 attack of Sept. 11, 2001
  • Operation Iraqi Freedom

What continued efforts does the Army have planned?

Volunteers bring skills, training and education that is necessary to win the COVID-19 fight. The nature of the COVID-19 pandemic is unpredictable and the Army plans to provide medical skills where most needed. The Army will continue to:

  • Coordinate with the Office of the Surgeon General to place the right medical professionals into the fight where conditions dictate.
  • Assess, screen, certify, and mobilize qualified volunteers in additional specialties to meet evolving requirements.

Why is this important to the Army?

During times of national emergency, the Army voluntarily calls upon retired and IRR Soldiers to augment Active-duty and Reserve Soldiers to maintain readiness and meet mission needs.

Protecting the citizens from coronavirus requires the effort of the whole nation. The IRR and retired Soldiers will assist in maximizing response to this critical fight. Past and present Army medical personnel are valuable ‘ready now’ assets to the whole-of-nation COVID-19 pandemic response.

Soldiers have the unique expertise, training, and warrior-mentality necessary to combat and defeat the invisible viral enemy.

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Events

May 2020

National Asian Pacific Heritage Month

May 8: Military Spouse Appreciation Day | Visit U.S. Army Families

May 10: Mother’s Day | Visit U.S. Army Families

May 16: Armed Forces Day

May 25: Memorial Day