Are The Innactive Ready Reseverve Getting a Raw Deal?

Question

I have a question regarding benefits and punitive actions for the IRR.

I was pulled out of the IRR for a tour in Iraq, where I am now, and was told that the 2/3 of the IRR who were given orders and did not show up will not be punished in any way. They will still have their GI Bill and home loans etc.

My question is: 1.) If i get a less than honorable discharge this time around will I still be able to withdraw benefits? 2.) If the IRR who didn't show up can still get benefits and I can only lose benefits (since there is no bonus for mandatory recall) is this punishing those IRR who showed up?

Out of 512 originally called up in a group that preceded my activation less than half showed up. Then for each of the successive mob centers less either showed up or made some bull medical excuse up. When all was said and done from his group 12 remained for deployment in Iraq. Please note: As far as life being not fair i would dare say i am not a school boy fit only for elementary lessons. i am 25, former Airborne Ranger, with two combat tours under my belt, a mortgage, and formerly full time student and full time worker status. But if it is the intention of any of you to explain to me that life is not fair, inn your "lesson" you are recognizing that it is not fair or equitable treatment - that is exactly my point

Answer 1

"1.) If i get a less than honorable discharge this time around will I still be able to withdraw benefits?"

No. If you get a LTH you lose all eligibility for GI Bill etc.

"2.) If the IRR who didn't show up can still get benefits and I can only lose benefits (since there is no bonus for mandatory recall) is this punishing those IRR who showed up?"

Yes. This whole decision sucks.

Unfortunately, the Democrats control both houses of Congress, and they inserted a clause into the military appropriations bill that prohibits the military from using any of the money to go after people who ignored their activation notices.

My older son was recently transferred from a Stateside hospital to an FOB in Afghanistan. One of the civilian nurses in his unit in the States was an IRR officer who got an activation notice and chose to openly ignore it, and she can't even be fired from her Federal employment in a military hospital for doing so.

Richard