Base-level individual ready Reserve programs: Force multipliers for Team Grand Forks

  • Published
  • By Headquarters Reserve Management Group
  • Detachment 2
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  When you think in terms of a "Reservist" most people think of the unit level or Traditional Reserve Program (Category A). Team Grand Forks hosts many non-traditional, but equally important, Reservists known as Individual Mobilization Augmentees (IMAs/Category B) and Participating Individual Ready Reservists (PIRR/Category E).

IMA/PIRR members are participating individual ready Reserve members assigned or attached to active duty organizations. They train alongside active duty members in preparation for times of national emergency in positions relating to their Air Force specialty. They are force multipliers who provide first-line back-up for the Air Force.

IMA/PIRR programs are designed to assist the active duty during times of deployment and manning assistance. An IMA/PIRR member can backfill the active duty unit that they train with, as well as other units worldwide that may have a need for their particular skill set.

IMA/PIRR programs serve as a creditable resource in meeting peacetime and mission-critical needs. They provide commanders with a mission ready part-time workforce from a wide variety of Air Force specialties. Most have served on active duty prior to joining the Reserve force. Although Reserve participation is part-time, these members work side-by-side with their active duty counterparts to accomplish the Air Force mission.

Most Reservists have civilian careers that they must balance with their military duty. Advance scheduling affords the reservist enough time to properly notify their civilian employer. However, training is ultimately scheduled to meet the needs of the mission and during times when the unit can provide the most valuable and productive training.

There are 16 IMAs and three PIRR members currently training at Grand Forks in four organizations. We have IMA/PIRR members filling critical roles in all facets of the Air Mobility Command mission. Most of the time they work unnoticed. A fully trained, part-time work force that fills in when needed.

The training requirement for each IMA/PIRR member depends on the Reserve Section Code . While most perform 12 days of annual tour and 12 days of inactive duty training, there are some IMA/PIRR members who perform 14 days of annual tour and 24 days of inactive duty training per fiscal year.

Unlike the unit level Reserve program (traditional Reserve/Category A), administrative control for the IMA/PIRR belongs to the active duty unit they are attached to for training. The only affiliation IMA/PIRR members have with their Reserve unit is utilization of the Reserve pay offices.

Active duty commanders, support staffs, first sergeants, supervisors and unit Reserve coordinators work in coordination with their Base IMA Administrator's office to service and support the IMA/PIRR members, Program Managers, Readiness Management Group commander and Air Force Reserve Command commander.

IMA/PIRR personnel records are maintained at Air Force Reserve Personnel Center in Denver, Colo. The medical and dental records for IMAs (Category B) are maintained at the bases to which they are attached while the medical and dental records for PIRRs (Category E) are maintained at HQ RMG, Robins AFB, Ga. All Reservists must have annual health assessments, immunizations, dental exams, valid security clearances and skill levels commensurate with their grade. Reservists must also meet the same annual fitness requirement as active duty members. The Air Force Fitness Management System must be updated to reflect current scores and the next due date. Members must be in status when testing. IMA/PIRR members are required to have the same level of readiness as their active duty counterparts.

Transferring from active duty into a Reserve program is an excellent way to maintain your affiliation with the military and continue to earn points and satisfactory years towards retirement. There are IMA/PIRR positions all over the United States and abroad.

Warriors of the North separating from active duty who are interested in the Reserve forces should contact the Air Force Reserve In-Service Recruiter, Master Sgt. Michael Kuettel at (701) 747-4339. For additional information regarding the IMA or PIRR program, please contact the BIMAA office (Senor Master Sgt. Cheryl Henry and Master Sgt. Daniel Cassity) at (618) 256-4264.