thedrifter
04-18-07, 01:20 PM
Recalled reservists report for screening
By Kimberly Johnson - Staff writer
Posted : Wednesday Apr 18, 2007 13:02:42 EDT
Reserve Marines tapped for possible involuntary activation for duty in Iraq are reporting to the Corps’ Mobilization Command headquarters in Kansas City, Mo., for screening for duty fitness.
On March 26, the Corps announced plans to involuntarily recall 1,800 leathernecks in the Individual Ready Reserve to help fill undermanned billets in Iraq. Prior to this action, only about 100 had been recalled, though the Corps is legally able to recall up to 2,500 at any time.
“It’s the biggest recall we’ve had in anyone’s recent memory,” said Maj. Shannon Shinskie, adjutant for Mobilization Command.
The recalls come at a time when the Corps faces increasing personnel pressures because of high combat deployment tempos and combat tour extensions. Currently, dwell time for combat Marines is just long enough for refresher training before they return to the battlefield.
“We’ve had a really good turnout,” Shinskie said of the ongoing IRR musters. However, MobCom officials would not comment on specific numbers of IRR Marines attending or found fit for active duty.
Staying in touch with IRR Marines and maintaining current contact information once they leave active duty remains an ongoing challenge for MobCom. The command can locate only about 80 percent of the 60,000 Marines on the IRR’s rolls. The rest, about 12,000 Marines, have not kept their contact data current and cannot readily be located, said Brig. Gen. Darrell Moore, MobCom commander.
MobCom asked the recalled Marines to begin reporting the week of April 9, dividing them into groups of about 200. All groups are scheduled to appear by the end of the month, said a Corps official familiar with the call-up.
Ellie
By Kimberly Johnson - Staff writer
Posted : Wednesday Apr 18, 2007 13:02:42 EDT
Reserve Marines tapped for possible involuntary activation for duty in Iraq are reporting to the Corps’ Mobilization Command headquarters in Kansas City, Mo., for screening for duty fitness.
On March 26, the Corps announced plans to involuntarily recall 1,800 leathernecks in the Individual Ready Reserve to help fill undermanned billets in Iraq. Prior to this action, only about 100 had been recalled, though the Corps is legally able to recall up to 2,500 at any time.
“It’s the biggest recall we’ve had in anyone’s recent memory,” said Maj. Shannon Shinskie, adjutant for Mobilization Command.
The recalls come at a time when the Corps faces increasing personnel pressures because of high combat deployment tempos and combat tour extensions. Currently, dwell time for combat Marines is just long enough for refresher training before they return to the battlefield.
“We’ve had a really good turnout,” Shinskie said of the ongoing IRR musters. However, MobCom officials would not comment on specific numbers of IRR Marines attending or found fit for active duty.
Staying in touch with IRR Marines and maintaining current contact information once they leave active duty remains an ongoing challenge for MobCom. The command can locate only about 80 percent of the 60,000 Marines on the IRR’s rolls. The rest, about 12,000 Marines, have not kept their contact data current and cannot readily be located, said Brig. Gen. Darrell Moore, MobCom commander.
MobCom asked the recalled Marines to begin reporting the week of April 9, dividing them into groups of about 200. All groups are scheduled to appear by the end of the month, said a Corps official familiar with the call-up.
Ellie