In a word, yes. Although that phrase I used has been thrown around much longer than the IA business has been going on, so apply it to anything the reserves want them to do that they don't like.

What's IA mean? I'm not in the reserves yet.

Navy speak for Individual Augment. Basically the Navy is sending individuals on TDY orders in theatre to 'augment' army units or other CENTCOM commands. As of 2 weeks ago, BUPERS told us there were 14,000 Navy personnel on the ground in the CENTCOM AOR. Typically IA's are given to those who are A)getting out B) need the IA for a 'check in the box' competitive reason or C) have time between PCS moves and it makes sense to send them while keeping them on track for career milestones.

The kicker to it is not only does it suck for the person going over, but that person's home unit still has him name on the books, ie, no replacement while he's gone. Send 6 or 8 guys from your unit on IA's for 6 or 12 months, and you either suck it up as one of the guys going over, or you get to shoulder their load while they are gone.

I submitted my request for retirement last month and the snide remark from the Captain was "So, you're quitting". To which I replied that I hardly think 21 years of service qualifies as quitting.


The mindset must change. Our people are volunteers and serve with pride. When the time comes to move on, we should say thanks! I've had two Sailors leave with under 10 years of service this past year. I thanked them profusely for serving their country and doing their best and wished them well in the future.

We all leave the service one day. Unless of course you make O-11:D

I dont know why most people "staying in" or "Career people" say that to people that decide to do something else with their life. 21 years is a large chunk of your life. I cant believe he/she said that to you:eek:. What was their response when you said that?

He had the good grace to be chagrined and speechless followed by significant backpedaling!

I would imagine....

I punched at the 14-year mark.... late for my DH tour (through no fault of my own...G*&D%$ned detailer!) so no shot at CO, and no more flying. Just not worth the pain of being Strike Ops for three years on a carrier then another three on an afloat staff somewhere just to get a check.

Fortunately, I dropped my letter @ 9 mos, and the 4 IA's I popped for afterwards were all more than a year long and well passed my approved release date, so some career sap got to do them. Another O-4 in the squadron dropped his at the 1 year prior mark - got handed 12 month IA orders 24 hours later. Not sure why the O-5's don't think crap like that doesn't have an impact on the JO's.

In hindsight - best decision I ever made!

I hope so, whenever I heard those comments as a reserve CO thrown at the AD folks, I would quiz the AD CO later "where do you think our future aviators come from?" From the kids that 'quitter' recruits back in Hometown, USA with his sea stories" Then point out to him the RC folks in the spaces whose efforts still made him shine to the Commodore. Cripes. If you stay AD, fantastic. I always try to recruit back into the RC side, unfortunately, the RC is getting burn't at the bearings as well. For some, almost like one never left AD.