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 IRR Affiliation Program offers support network to Soldiers, families By Megan Doyle
                ARNG G1 STRATCOMM Support
 ARLINGTON, Va. - In order to support Individual Ready Reserve Soldiers, the U.S. Army Reserve, the U.S. Army Human Resources Command and the Army National Guard have initiated the IRR Affiliation Program (IAP). Through IAP, IRR Soldiers and their families can maintain a connection to the military community through an affiliation with a local Reserve component unit. This support network is intended to improve IRR Soldier readiness and encourage Soldiers with valuable skills to continue their service. After the U.S. Army Reserves initiated IAP, the director of the Army National Guard, Army Lt. Gen. William E. Ingram Jr. recognized the value of the program and committed the ARNG as a partner. To the IAP, the ARNG brings connections to hundreds of units through armories and family programs in communities nationwide. The IRR Affiliation Program is a total support network and the ARNG wanted to be a part of it to ensure that Soldiers and their families are connected to the Army family, said John Schmidt, a program lead from the ARNG Personnel Policy Division. IAP was initially tested with a pilot program in several states to determine potential benefits, the impact on each unit's full-time staff and necessary changes to regulations, policies and systems. The five month pilot connected over 4,000 Individual Ready Reservists with local ARNG units. During the pilot, administrators found that the program required minimal additional work for states, units, and local commands because the aim of the IAP is to provide IRR Soldiers access to the pre-existing networks and resources. Most Guard units have a support network already built. The program is simply about maintaining a connection, said Gregory Heffner, a program lead from the ARNG Personnel Policy Division. It is more of a referral program" if a Soldier has an issue, hopefully they will pick up the phone. On Jan. 26, the ARNG Personnel Policy Division announced on behalf of the director of the Army National Guard that IAP will be expanded nationwide. All states and territories are strongly encouraged to participate in the program, which supports the Army's Continuum of Service model. The director of the Army National Guard recognized that these Soldiers are an important part of the Army Family, Schmidt said. â"From when the Soldier joins the Army on the first day to their eight year re-up, we are going to keep them in touch with the Army family. Through the program, Soldiers have the opportunity to establish and maintain communications with their affiliated unit, which will be within 50 miles or 90 minutes of travel from the Soldier's home of record. Through this affiliation, Soldiers and their families can participate in unit activities and access information and services including medical readiness resources, employment programs, career counseling, state government and Veterans Affairs information and family readiness services. Affiliated IRR Soldiers continue to be assigned to HRC and are not assigned to the ARNG or USAR. IRR Soldiers may still receive orders to muster from HRC, but are not required to participate in any activities with their affiliated unit including training, nor are they obligated to maintain contact with the unit. If a Soldier chooses not to participate in any events, they will be required to acknowledge their awareness of IAP, their affiliation to an RC unit and their understanding that resources and support will always be available to them while assigned to the IRR. The intent is to have every armory participating, and the expansion of the program will ensure that each Soldier has access to a local community, Heffner said. We want them to be able to walk into their local armory and ask questions. IRR Soldiers are vital personnel who can augment Army ranks by providing key skills and knowledge, and the Army has recognized the importance of a military support network in retaining these Soldiers and improving their readiness. [The IAP] connects Soldiers with the Army family and is their first stop to gain access to services that are their privilege and their right, said Schmidt.
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