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| Corps to Recall Marines to Active Duty |
| 2006-08-22 |
| The U.S. Marine Corps said Tuesday it has been authorized to recall thousands of Marines to active duty, primarily because of a shortage of volunteers for duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. Up to 2,500 Marines will be brought back at any one time, but there is no cap on the total number of Marines who may be forced back into service in the coming years as the military battles the war on terror. The call-ups will begin in the next several months. This is the first time the Marines have had to use the involuntary recall since the early days of the Iraq combat. The Army has ordered back about 14,000 soldiers since the start of the war. Marine Col. Guy A. Stratton, head of the manpower mobilization section, estimated that there is a current shortfall of about 1,200 Marines needed to fill positions in upcoming unit deployments. The call-up affects Marines in the Individual Ready Reserve, a segment of the reserves that consists mainly of those who left active duty but still have time remaining on their eight-year military obligation. Generally, Marines enlist for four years, then serve the other four years either in the regular Reserves, where they are paid and train periodically, or they may elect to go into the IRR. Marines in the IRR are only obligated to report one day a year but can be involuntarily recalled to active duty. I wonder about reservists, at the end of their six-year hitch, who have already gone once. My kid's trying to finish college. Anyone know? |
| Posted by:Clagum Gromock4028 |
| #11 Actually, the US Government can recall ANYONE who is under 60 years of age and has had a valid enlisted contract in the past. It's NEVER been done, but the law's on the books. Also, retired military are "transferred to the Retired Reserve". Most people believe that only applies for the first five years after you retire, but in reality, it's for life. Again, it's not something that has been used much in the past, but the law exists. You can also volunteer to return to active duty from the Retired Reserve, but not many people who do get selected. I volunteered and got back a brief note, "We'll keep your request in mind"... |
| Posted by: Old Patriot 2006-08-22 23:36 |
| #10 When I signed up in '89, it was explained to me that every Marine serves at least 8 years, the remainder of which is in the IRR. So whether your active duty tour was 3, 4, or 6, you finished in IRR. I think there was an option to go 8 years active, but don't recall if that was for a special program or not. Those hardchargers did not move into IRR. This was all explained at the recruiting station prior to signing. USMC: U Signed the MFin' Contract. ;) |
| Posted by: BH 2006-08-22 22:11 |
| #9 Enlistment is for 8 years, more or less. (Full Disclosure - I was an Army IRR call-up for OIF3, in a unit full of IRR call-ups). I had guys in my unit who got called-up out of the IRR, and then stop-lossed past thier 8 year term - talk about dirty pool. The key on this will be MOS - they are looking for engineers, MPs, CAs, etc. If you get called-up and show up, you're hosed. You're on active duty. The key is to fight this before you are due to report. |
| Posted by: Been There, Done That 2006-08-22 22:06 |
| #8 Need to check on the son's roommate. He was in the intial Baghdad assult then had a second tour in Abu Grab and Fallujha. Been in IRR since getting out and just starting his second year of college. |
| Posted by: 3dc 2006-08-22 22:05 |
| #7 #6: OK, some technicalities here. No matter what the ‘active’ time says on your contract, it is an 8 year obligation for service. That can be a combination of active, reserve, inactive time, but it is eight years. They must have changed the rules with this new "Volunteer" Service. When I was in, (Early "66 Late "69) it was six years, 4 active, 2 inactive, and none of this "Must either be in the active or inactive reserves" Bullshit, they could call you back, but it never happened. |
| Posted by: Redneck Jim 2006-08-22 19:39 |
| #6 OK, some technicalities here. No matter what the ‘active’ time says on your contract, it is an 8 year obligation for service. That can be a combination of active, reserve, inactive time, but it is eight years. However, individuals can be discharged for various reasons - medical, disciplinary, compassionate, etc. before that eight years and if separated from service they would have a DD Form 214 which in effect terminates all further obligation of duty. A good conduct and general discharge will preserve all veteran benefits. Now having said that, there is also something else under the law. IAW Title 10 U.S.C. which governs military law, Paragraph 671a. Members: service extension during war: “Unless terminated at an earlier date by the Secretary concerned, the period of active service of any member of an armed force is extended for the duration of any war in which the United States may be engaged and for six months thereafter“ Since Senate Joint Resolution 23 was passed by Congress shortly after 9/11 and invokes War Powers [note - not Emergency, not Security], the Service Secretary [Army, Navy, Air Force], has the authority to extend on active duty [not reserve] individuals for the duration. So anyone on active duty can be kept beyond the 8 year obligation. You can probably count on your hand the number in this case extended much beyond a normal tour rotation for the unit the service member had been assigned to. Once the service member is released from active duty and in receipt of his/her DD 214, he/she has no further obligation, unless [once again the exception] they received a regular officer commission. Some of the contracts for commissioned officers had a line which basically read “may be recalled to active duty at anytime by the Secretary of [insert service branch here]”. So technically, some people have a lifelong obligation. That’s one of the meanings behind the oath that is sworn about “take this obligation freely without any mental reservations or purpose of evasion.” You understand the commitment you make when you sign. |
| Posted by: Angaviger Craiter1890 2006-08-22 18:40 |
| #5 Thanks, guys. I only had Besoeker's reply when Mother called the Kid. He had not heard, but his Major told them months ago they'd try to avoid folks that's already been once - and the Kid got a Commendation for volunteering for gunner for some night ops looking for HVT's. And I told him what Nimble said, without knowing the numbers - that 1,200 wasn't a lot... He registered for college today. And BTW, I was somehow Poster Clagum Gromock4028. Sorta catchy, isn't it? |
| Posted by: Bobby 2006-08-22 17:55 |
| #4 I served with a guy that this happened too after GWI. He had just gotten home after his ETS and was just finishing his second beer. The phone rang and it was the Army telling him he was going to Saudi. He was in for two more years after. If you enlist for the first time, you owe the military 8 years. It doesn't matter what you serve (2 years, 6 IR; 4 years, 4 reserve; etc) and you can be called back. I'm not too sure about re-enlistment past 8 years. |
| Posted by: DarthVader 2006-08-22 17:48 |
#3 Marine Col. Guy A. Stratton, head of the manpower mobilization section, estimated that there is a current shortfall of about 1,200 Marines needed to fill positions in upcoming deployments. If he served 6, he should be OK. |
| Posted by: Nimble Spemble 2006-08-22 17:33 |
| #2 As far as I understand it, everyone owes 8 years from their date of entry. If you leave AD or active reserves before 8 years, you're kept on IRR till the 8 years is up. It came as kind of a surprise after I served 4 years on AD, got my 214, and was told I'd be transferred to the IRR for another 4. That was in 02. Whether you're recalled, however, I think is highly contingent on your branch/MOS. IIUC, MPs & civil affairs are recalled most these days. |
| Posted by: ST 2006-08-22 17:28 |
| #1 No longer obligated after 6 years, or that's the way it used to be. |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2006-08-22 17:08 |