RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
Readiness for mobilization and/or deployment will be the focus of a muster set for Wednesday at Randolph.
All Individual Ready Reserves in the 150-mile area are being called to Randolph for medical checkups and other routine procedures designed to ensure total readiness, were they to be called to service.
Around 250 IRRs are expected to participate in the one-day event, according to Master Sgt. Cheryl St. Louis, a key organizer here.
"The purpose is to make sure all IRRs are fit and ready to return to active duty if called upon to do so," Sergeant St. Louis said. "Probably the most important thing they will go through at the muster will be the medical screening. They have to be healthy to do what would be asked of them."
Musters have rarely taken place at Randolph and this may be the first, said Sergeant St. Louis. Lackland Air Force Base hosts random musters and will send Master Sgt. Curtis May of the 433rd Airlift Wing's recruiting office to present information to the IRR group at Randolph.
"I've been part of these musters at other bases and our primary focus will be to present an option to become active again," Sergeant May said. "They are already job qualified and this will be an opportunity for them to recommit to serving one weekend a month, 15 days a year as active reserves."
The IRRs coming to the muster are currently inactive, but at one time were part of the active duty or reserve U.S. military personnel. They do not currently receive regular pay from the Department of Defense, but will be given an opportunity to reinitiate their service in fields such as combat medicine, aviation maintenance, communications or a host of other modes of service.
"Lackland held a muster for inactives within the past year or so and there are different bases designated for this each year," Sergeant St. Louis said. "Several intangibles will be addressed when they come here.
"IRRs must be age 60 or younger by February of 2009 or they are not eligible for service and they have to carry a current identification card that is not expired."
Medical personnel at Randolph have been tasked to help with the muster, as have other people at various base offices. The reservists who participate will receive a small stipend to help with travel costs and meals.
"Another good thing aside from the readiness aspect is the people we will have talking with the reservists," Sergeant St. Louis said. "Recruiters will be here to discuss benefits, powers-of-attorney privileges and educational opportunities that these people might not be aware they are entitled to."