I'm an Army vet, getting a little nervous about IRR. Does anyone

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

know which MOS's are the most likely to need a boost to their ranks utilizing the "back door" draft? Any information would be appreciated. MKJ

[htuttle]

1. Unfortunately, they seem to be ignoring MOS's nowdays

I've been reading accounts of Air Force personnel escorting convoys, mechanics loading trucks, etc...

Personally, I wouldn't count on any MOS being 'safe' right now.

[Dzimbowicz]

7. I agree with you, no MOSs are "safe" right now

I had a former student who was a Marine in Iraq.

He enlisted in 2002 to learn how to become a jet engine mechanic. Last April his unit was in the Fallujah region and they were so short-handed that he ended up walking infantry patrols. Once upon a time in the 1970s, I, too, was a Marine and aware that all Marines are 0300s (basic rifleman) regardless of one's primary MOS.

The point that come to my mind is that it is expensive to train one to be a jet mechanic (with an AIT time of about a year, not to mention the cost of the equipment to train them, etc.). However, in my day it only took eight weeks to train an 0300 into an 0311 (the actual MOS for the infantry). So, why were his commanders putting "expensive" mechanics out on patrol?

I am glad to report that he made it home safe and uninjured.

[dems4israel]

10. Kerry Was Right To Call It a "Back Door Draft"

Im in the IRR and it scares me as well but if I have to serve my country again I will be ready and willing.

[Catch22Dem]

2. How long did you serve?

And when did you get out? I was in the USAF for 8 years and got out over 4 years ago. I'm no longer on IRR...fortunatley...but that's in its current form. Wouldn't surprise me one bit if they changed the rules.

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

3. I was US Army 1982-1987. At first, I figured I was completely safe however

my MOS is medical and I've advanced my education and level of licensure since leaving the military. I read an article about a couple of mental health professionals in their fifties (older than me) being called back, because their specialty is needed (no big surprise there) but don't remember if the article specified their length and time of service. (my specialty is not mental health).

I really wasn't too worried until just recently with the debacle in Iraq becoming even more out of control each day.
MKJ

[Catch22Dem]

4. Yeah, medical is tough

I recall during the first gulf war, some surgeon from AZ being "drafted" and given an instant O-6 rank. Amazing.

[haele]

11. I'm pretty sure that it depends on your field in medicine...

... and if you are enlisted or officer. As an enlisted, if you didn't retire as a reservist, but retired before the end of an enlistment period (4 or 6 years), then your IRR obligation will expire at the end of your enlistment. If you retired at the end of the enlistment period, it continues for another 4 years. If you retired as a reservist, the obligation is a bit more questionable; I've heard that it's up to an age limit, or up to 8 years after your reserve enlistment is up. I'm still looking into that, as I retired at 20 years back in 1998, and I might still be looking at being called up, should it be required. My father can't even tell me, and he was on the board and a consultant for of the Washington State department for Employer/Guard/Reserve issues.
From what I understand, if you were/are an officer, you have to have an official letter retiring your commission and exempting you from any further obligation.
Of course, if you were discharged with a disability or less than honorable, you're not going to get called back up.

Check the paperwork package that came with your retirement/discharge paper, or go to the VA and get a microfiche copy of your records to see how you were discharged and how long your IRR obligation is scheduled to be.
This will also give you an idea what they might flag a callback on - they don't care what you're doing now, just what you did while you were in.

Good luck.

Haele

[sbj405]

13. A 70 y/o oral surgeon was recently called up for Afghanistan.

http://www.marionstar.com/news/stories/20041211/localnews/1731211.html

[me b zola]

12. If you were an officer and did not resign your commission,

then they can call you up whenever they want to.

[Coastie for Truth]

15. I have a "substance abuse" problem

I'm an officer, never resigned my commission - but I am chemically dependent on Lipitor and metformin/glucophage. Hopefully that gives me some safety.

[MADem]

18. Even if you did resign that commission

The Service Secretary can recall you at the order of the President.

It's on the 214!

[Career Prole]

5. Take heart...the "backdoor draft" will go away shortly

when the front door swings open.
I'm channel-surfing and seem to be hearing "Iran" a lot more than "Iraq".
And by "Iran" I'm not referring to the standard GOP answer to the question "What did you do in the war, Daddy?"

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

6. I agree, Iran, is the "new and improved" Iraq. Love your "GOP' comment

I don't know how on earth this group could justify and embark on another pre emptive attack...but, the bfee has proven time and again that logic and ethics don't mean a thing. MKJ

[ConservativeDemocrat]

16. Man, after I read that, I laughed so hard...

I gotta remember that one to tweak some Repub friends.

- C.D. Proud Member of the Reality Based Community

[radar]

8. I started collecting links awhile back

unfortunately, I lost a bunch when my hard drive died...

I believe it's "Dems Will Win" who posts the most knowledgable info here-abouts

Secret report details plan to draft medics
By Robert Pear The New York Times
http://www.iht.com/articles/2004/10/19/news/draft.html

http://www.draftresistance.org/

http://www.enjoythedraft.com/

http://www.iraqdraft.com/

http://www.fromthewilderness.com/free/ww3/022704_draft_goff.html

http://www.utne.com/webwatch/2004_147/news/11211-1.html

http://www.thefourreasons.org/draft.htm

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

9. Thanks for the links, radar. This isn't very reassuring, but I'd rather be

aware of what's percolating out there regarding military medical personnel than be blindsided. Very helpful, I appreciate it. MKJ

[Aristus]

14. 19Kilo, M1A1 tanker here.

I don't think they're using the Abrams over there anymore. I think they pulled it for the Stryker. Anyway, I'm thirty-six now, with a pizza belly. Don't think they'll be coming for me.

[Dzimbowicz]

17. Ah, a jedeye tanker...

Once upon a time I served on an M-48A5 and an M-60A1. We were called 19 Echos back then. I originally began in the infantry (three years), but when the career planner came to see me at the end of my first enlistment, he offered me another cash bonus for another term in the combat arms, so I chose armor (hell, I thought, those guys get to ride everywhere they go and that sure beats walking). BTW, I was a Marine, but we attended the US Army Armor School at Ft. Knox. Then, to continue my prostitution for college money, I enlisted in the SC National Guard and attended other Armor School courses, and we called the guys who were being trained on the new-fangled M1s 'jedeye tankers'.

:hi: