Originally Posted by
BDGERJMN
They don't have to give you a bad FITREP. The language being promulgated by CNRFC N35 in the RMP business rules is suggested language. I know many commanders who are not incorporating this language into FITREPS. From the CNRFC N35 RMP Guidance: "
b. Transfer to the IRR. Requests to transfer to the IRR prior to identification for mobilization (R## IMS code) may be approved, but the following comment on detaching Fitness Reports or Evaluations is strongly recommended: "NOT RECOMMENDED FOR REAFFILIATION OR REENLISTMENT IN THE NAVY RESERVE. MEMBER REQUESTED TRANSFER TO THE IRR AFTER BEING IDENTIFIED ON THE CNRFC READY MOBILIZATION POOL." FITREPS and EVALS with this language shall be considered adverse and treated as such under BUPERSINST 1610.10B. Requests to transfer to the IRR after an RMP Sailor has been identified for mobilization (R## IMS code) will be disapproved, and a request may only be resubmitted after mobilization completion."
A CO doesn't have to include this language nor in my humble opinions should. The fact that SELRES aviators were put on the RMP list given their collective contribution over a 6 yr period when compared to that of SELRES who don't voluteer for an IA is not right. Where are the names from hardware units. Why are the SELRES names just SAU names.
As for the numbers of IAs, until Big Navy stands up and says no in terms of validating, truly validating the IAs on an individual basis rather than rubber stamping them, they will continue to come down the pike and be sourced. As stated, the AC has said uncle, and Big Navy Reserve looking to justify its existance in shrinking financial times, rogered up.
This is all true, and the FITREP language is somewhat debatable. If the NOSC cares, they can screen FITREPs for this language. Although they don't normally have ISIC authority they could raise holy hell with your chain, and believe me most of our reserve flags are all about MOB readiness.
Remember the "Operational Support" emphasis starting back in the mid 90's? We still do that, but our priority has been unambiguously shifted back to "Strategic Reserve" which means MOB readiness and availability. I used to be able to blow off NOSC readiness requirements in order to provide operational support to my community, but no longer. People have to show up on drill weekends to attend NOSC mandated medical, GMT, sexual-fill-in-the-blank training, etc, etc. I recently lost an argument with a flag (duh) over operational support vs. strategic readiness and had it clearly explained in no uncertain terms that we are back to being a strategic reserve first, second, and third and if you have any time left for operational support, try to do some of that too.
I haven't had to deal with an IRR FITREP for an RMP officer yet. Honestly I'd probably evaluate his personal situation at the time and make a decision based on that. But I'm also not going to carte blanche forgive everyone who just doesn't want to MOB because it's uncomfortable or inconvenient.
I've heard leaders (usually senior enough to have missed the whole MOB thing) say that if you can't MOB at any time, you don't belong in the reserves...that's BS. As reservists we rely on our civilian careers, not the DoD to support our families over the long haul, and there are points in our civilian careers and personal lives when MOB is not realistic. I don't expect everyone who hits a rough spot or critical career juncture to resign or go IRR. I do expect people to be generally available to MOB most of time.
I'm OK with IA MOB exemptions for hardware units and units that deploy as a unit. Too disruptive otherwise. It would be nice if CNRF enforced some kind of duty rotation to more evenly share the exposure to MOB, but the reality is there are too many other factors at play just to keep higher priority units manned with the right folks.
Whether CNRF should be supporting AD IA demand, whether Big Navy should be rolling over for DoD IA demand, whether we should even be in the middle east at all...that's beyond the scope of this discussion, and there's not much we can do about until we get our stars and probably not even then.