Air Force Reserve Command - Reserve Categories

Reserve Categories

There are several categories of service in the Air Force Reserve. Most Reservists serve in the Unit Program, in which they are required to report for duty at least one weekend a month and an additional two weeks a year.

A smaller but equally important category of Reservist is the Individual Mobilization Augmentee (IMA). IMAs are Reservists who are assigned to active-duty units to do jobs that are essential in wartime but do not require full-time manning during times of peace. They report for duty a minimum of one day a month and twelve additional days a year.

A small number of Reservists serve limited tours of active duty, usually at headquarters staff level or in other special assignments. Their job is to bring Reserve expertise to the planning and decision-making processes at senior levels within the Air Force and other services.

Reservists serving in the Active Guard and Reserve Program (AGR) perform functions for the Air Force Reserve Command that require full time manning. Recruiting is one of the fields in which a reservist can become an AGR. AGRs receive full pay and benefits just like active members of any branch of the armed forces. They serve four year controlled tours of special duty that can be renewed. AGR's have the option with good conduct and performance to serve 20 or more years and receive a retirement after 20 years just like active members of the armed forces.

Reservists serving in the Air Reserve Technician Program (ART) carry dual status, working as full-time civil service employees for the Air Force and as military members in the same AFRC units where they work as civilians and performing the same job.

Reservists are categorized by several criteria in the Ready Reserve, Standby Reserve, Inactive Ready Reserve or Retired Reserve:

• Ready Reserve

The Ready Reserve is made up of approximately 74,000 trained Reservists who may be recalled to active duty to augment active forces in time of war or national emergency. These Reservists are combat ready and can deploy to anywhere in the world in seventy-two hours.

• Standby Reserve

The Standby Reserve includes Reservists whose civilian jobs are considered key to national defense or who have temporary disability or personal hardship. Most Standby Reservists do not train and are not assigned to units.

• Individual Ready Reserve

These Reservists no longer train but are qualified in their fields and eligible to be recalled in the event of a national emergency.

There is a small group of these reservists labeled PIRR or Participating IRR who receive points toward retirement and are under Cat E status. There are over 1,000 ALOs or Academy Liaison officers in this field, as well as some chaplains, and a few other positions that require Military duty but not a fixed schedule. These CAT E personnel can earn mandays just like Cat A and B reservists but on a more limited basis.

• Retired Reserve

The Retired Reserve is made up of officers and enlisted personnel who receive pay after retiring from active duty or from the Reserve, or are Reservists awaiting retirement pay at age 60.