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Steve Smith's Army Blog

In the IRR? Email ABC News

ABC News wants to hear from IRR soldiers to find out how they feel about possibly being sent to Iraq or Afghanistan.  Contact them here.

Also, the Norwich Bulleting wrote an opinion piece stating the obvious about the potential for a draft in the future -- but of course not before November's election.

In other news, the Washington Times covers a shortage in officers presently, along with some oft-repeated info on how the Army needs more soldiers, despite what senior defense officials would like to think.  A Washington Post article examines the fact that more soldiers have been discharged for being homosexual than have been called up for the IRR, often for the same skillsets.

Finally, this Michigan paper article sums up my thoughts (and, to be honest, those of everybody I know) on the need for a larger active duty Army quite concisely.  I could write my own opinion, but it would mirror this article.

By way of update, I'm fine and still awaiting transport to my unit.  Once there, I may have some more interesting news, but until then there's little I can share aside from that I'm ok.

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Published Tuesday, July 13, 2004 10:16 AM by ssmith

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ssmith said:

Steve,

I saw a TV report about an IRR person who was called up AFTER his contractual obligation was up (it was up in December 2003, I believe he was called up May 2004). Turns out, the army says that he never "resigned from the IRR". So, when your obligation is up, do remember to officially "resign".

I am home, mostly disabled still from my surgery, so I watch LOTS of TV<g>.
July 13, 2004 11:46 AM
 

ssmith said:

That's true, there's a North Carolina guard officer who is suing over that. Coincidentally, I'm serving here with an IRR LT from North Carolina who was called up after his 8 year commitment, too. The trick is you have to resign your commission, but that's not said anywhere in the contract, which is why the LT who is suing may have a case.
July 14, 2004 12:49 AM
 

ssmith said:

I received orders around the same time as Steve and I was scheduled to report 5/22/04. I applied for an exemption based on the fact that I had resigned my commission more than 2 years before. At the time I resigned I had already met my 8 year commitment but as it turns out they just assigned me to IRR. I really didn't even realize that I was assigned until I received a notice to update my contact info with HRC. I at that time let them know about my previous resignation but never heard back from them until receiving orders for active duty. About a month into the process my Career Management Officer e-mailed about my contact sheet and said that since I was on MOB orders I couldn't resign. I finally got an answer after 2 months that HRC approved my request and will officially discharge me. The whole process took 2 months and was very stressful to say the least. At least the outcome was positive in my case. It sounds like I may be in the minority and that most people end up having to report.
July 15, 2004 6:12 PM
 

ssmith said:

I have a question about the IRR, I recently got discharged from active duty (last month), I now have 3 years left in the IRR, and my ako account is flooded with emails from recruiters saying that I have "72 hours" to respond and that it is mandatory I reply to them. Is all this true? I thought the only correspondence you actually had to respond to was if you got a western union telegram or certified mail or something like that.

Thanks
August 18, 2005 9:08 AM

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About ssmith

Enlisted in 1995. Basic at Ft Sill. AIT at Ft Jackson (75F). Served in Ohio National Guard. Went through ROTC program at Ohio State University and received 2LT commission in 1997, Engineer branch. Spent about 4 years in 16th Engineer Brigade in Ohio National Guard, then moved far from nearest unit and went into Inactive National Guard, and eventually Individual Ready Reserve. Called up from IRR in 2004 for duty in Iraq (Engineer Platoon Leader with 1st ID). Made it home in 2005. Resigned commission as a CPT in December 2005.