Reserve unit hosts first-ever IRR muster overseas

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Andrea Knudson
  • 477th Fighter Group Public Affairs
ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  Reservists from Air Force Reserve Command's 477th Fighter Group hosted an Individual Ready Reserve Muster at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage, Alaska, June 12. 

IRR Musters are designed to gather and maintain IRR members' contact information and availability for activation of IRR members to support a partial, total or full mobilization activation scenario. 

According to Master Sgt. Stephanie Carter, IRR Muster program manager, Air Reserve Personnel Center, participants for these musters are selected within a 150-mile radius of active-duty, Reserve or Guard bases. 

"We notify the members by mail about 90 days before the scheduled muster. They receive an entire packet containing orders, a notification letter, forms required and additional information sheets," Sergeant Carter said. "By law, Air Force Reserve Command is required to reach out and touch members of the IRR community annually. We do this by conducting one-day musters, annual mail surveys, and bi-annual push-pull exercises." 

Each year, IRR Muster program managers contact bases in the Continental U.S. to see who can participate. There were 26 musters last year and 13 are scheduled this year. 

The 477th FG muster marked the first time a muster was held overseas. 

"We were really excited about hosting the first-ever muster overseas. Not only is this a good forum to collect necessary information from IRR members, but it is also an excellent opportunity to provide helpful information the members may not otherwise receive," said Capt. Erin Anderson, 477th FG and IRR Muster coordinator for the unit. "We had a pretty good turnout and I'm happy to see several of the members received information they didn't have before." 

Benjamin Stapera, who drove from Wasilla to attend the muster, served in the active-duty Air Force as an officer for 11 years and separated in 2007. He said this was his first muster and he was surprised he learned so much. 

"It was a lot more professional than I expected it to be. It went pretty quickly ... it was streamlined and organized," Mr. Stapera said. "They did a great job of anticipating some of the questions I had and the briefings were helpful. 

"I didn't realize there were this many people in the IRR in the area. I walked in a bit nervous, but I'm leaving comfortable and confident," he said. 

Briefings for the day's muster included representatives from the Department of Veteran's Affairs and a welcome from the 477th FG commander. Members were required to process through several stations including medical, the VA, and recruiting. Additionally, an identification card station was available for those members wanting an ID.