Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark. -- On May 5, 2017, the first Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) Muster to ever be held at Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas, was hosted by the 913th Airlift Group.

U.S. Air Force Reserve Col. Anthony Brusca, interim commander for the 913th Airlift Group, welcomed the members to the muster and talked briefly about their obligations and job opportunities.

Air Reserve Personnel Center (ARPC) sent out 106 invitations by mail to IRR Members within a 150 mile radius of the base, and 68 attended the muster.

Participation in the Annual IRR Screening (Muster Duty) is mandatory by Title 10, United States Code (U.S.C.) Section 12319.

The muster provides Airmen with the opportunity to update medical records and receive briefings on current veteran’s benefits and their responsibilities as an IRR member.

The ARPC team arrived a couple of days before the muster to coordinate events with the Master Sgt. Brandy L. Ferguson, personnel specialist, 913th Force Support Squadron.

Tables were set up for sign in, sign out and each section where members were required to get their IRR muster checklist signed off.

Representatives from medical, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, Central Arkansas Veterans Health Care System, Arkansas Air National Guard, Air Force and Air Force Reserve Command recruiters were available to talk with about a member’s future plans.

“All first term service members sign an eight year commitment, no matter what active duty contract is,” said Kristy Thurman, reserve service programs, ARPC. “They will be transferred to IRR Status after active duty service for the remainder of the eight-year obligation in order to fulfill their contract. Enlisted personnel stay in IRR Status until Military Service Obligation (MSO) expires.”

“IRR members must notify ARPC, which serves IRR members, of any major changes in their life that might change their ability to fulfill their commitment, such as changes in health, address and job changes,” Thurman said.

For most it was not a wasted day. Members were compensated approximately $230.00 for their participation in the one-day event.

“From my perspective ... a lot of time and effort over the past six months went into coordinating and preparing for this event,” said Lt. Col. Rosalind Abdulkhalik, commander of the 913th Force Support Squadron. “Master Sgt. Ferguson and her team of eight personnel assisting with setup, teardown, check-in and preparations did an outstanding job. It was one of the smoothest run musters ARPC had seen...and, they finished three hours ahead of schedule.”