The Individual Ready Reserve is a service that is mandatory for many veterans. When a service member signs their initial contract, it is usually for 2-6 years. If that service member did not re-enlist or have a contract beyond 8 years then they are automatically in the IRR. Within a month or less, the servie member will receive a letter in the mail and official military orders saying they have to report to muster duty. I received my letter recently and called the number that was listed to set up an appointment to fullfil my muster duty.
IRR Patch
As it turns out, muster duty was a very easy and painless process. My liaison that was assigned to me was great. She had me watch some videos on benefits that I am now eligible for and answered questions that i had about my new status. She also reactivated my AKO account so now I have access to AKO email and free educational services like Rosseta Stone.
She also told me what I had to do in order to get another Military I.D. card and informed that I would have full CAC-card priveleges while in the IRR. And at the end of it all, I set up a pay system and got a couple of hundred bucks for a few hours of easy work.
Muster duty sounds frightening but its not really not and if you receive that letter in the mail, go ahead and set up your appointment. There are so many benefits of being a Veteran that I did not know about until attending muster duty.
Here is a short video about the IRR from Major General Sean Byrne:
To learn more about the IRR please go to:
http://www.nlgmltf.org/article_reserve_forces_structure_irr.html
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/army/ar-perscom.htm
