MOBILIZATION AND REJECTION OF INDIVIDUAL READY RESERVE PERSONNEL IN OPERATIONS-DESERT-SHIELD-STORM AT A US ARMY QUARTERMASTER POST

The Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) is an important component of the U, S. Army's total combat force. After Operations Desert Shield/Storm, we investigated the mobilization of soldiers with combat service support specialties from the IRR to a quartermaster training post. In the ini tial 2 weeks of activation prior to assignment and deployment, the sol diers went through medical and administrative screening, and general a nd specialized military training. During this period, a sizable portio n (one-quarter) of IRR troops who reported to duty were rejected for a variety of reasons (overweight, inadequate dependent arrangements, et c.) and did not remain on active duty. Potential changes to the polici es that led to these rejections are discussed.