IRR muster gathers veterans, provides information and opportunities

  • Published
  • By Jake Shaw
  • 482nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HOMESTEAD ARB, Fla. --  4/14/2007 - HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVE BASE, Fla. - the 482nd Fighter Wing conducted a muster here today for 80 Individual Ready Reservists.

The IRR Muster Program, mandated by Title 10 United States Code Section 12319, ensures the Air Force can "reach out and touch" the IRR population when necessary. IRRs are mostly military personnel who have served on active duty but have a military service obligation remaining.

Annually, the Air Force Reserve Personnel Center in Colorado orders IRR Airmen to report to a military installation within 150 miles of their residence. Upon arrival, their records are updated and they receive a basic medical screening and several briefings. IRRs are paid for their time in accordance with Title 37 U.S.C., Section 433. Homestead Air Reserve Base volunteered to host the annual muster for South Florida Veterans.

After arriving, the IRRs were welcomed by 482nd Maintenance Group Commander Col. T. Glenn Davis, who thanked them for participating in the muster. He also gave them an update on opportunities available if they are interested in joining the 482nd Fighter Wing.

The colonel started with a question; "Why would you want to come here? Well, this is the finest F-16 unit on the planet, and we've got the numbers to back that up. We have the highest mission completion rate in the entire Air Force right now."

Col. Davis added that the 482nd Fighter Wing is gaining 9 jets this year and needs more people. For certain jobs you can receive a $15,000 bonus and full-time maintenance positions start at about $24 per hour.

After the welcome brief by Col. Davis, the vets talked with representatives from the Miami Vet Center, received medical screenings, updated their ID cards, employment and education information and talked with Air Force Reserve Recruiters who also attended the gathering.

Air Force Reserve recruiters attended the muster for a specific reason; to provide information. According to 482nd Fighter Wing senior recruiter Senior Master Sgt. Alex Vazquez, "This is not a recruiting event, but people leave the military for various reasons, and we are here today to let them know about the options available to them in case their life situation has changed recently."

For many of the attendees, their life situations had changed, but they were concerned about the muster, given the current military situation.

"I wasn't surprised when I got the letter in the mail informing me of today's muster, because I understand why we're doing this. This will help make the mobilization process easier if it's necessary, and besides, this is what we all signed up for," said Nathan Christar, a former senior airman who spent four years as a security forces member.

"There's no chance I'll sign up today, but I have no problem showing up to fulfill my obligation," he added.

Others felt differently about the muster.

"I was shocked to get a letter in the mail telling me to come to a muster at the base," said Jordan Roman, a former senior airman who spent four years as a crew chief before leaving the military about one year ago.

"But I showed up despite my shock and concern, and I'm glad I did. I asked a lot of questions and got some good information and now I'm thinking about joining the unit here," said Mr. Roman.

Capt. Paul Hubenthal, 482nd Fighter Wing Military Personnel Chief, summed up the day's event for all who attended, "Today we provided an easy opportunity for IRRs to fulfill their responsibilities, and we also paid them for showing up. I believe we delivered a service to everyone and gave them some good information, despite much of the apprehension they expressed about participating in this event."

Of 80 attendees, 20 expressed interest in joining the Air Force reserve, according to Sergeant Vazquez.