Individual Ready Reserve 'key component' of total military Published May 20, 2005 By Gerry J. Gilmore American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON (AFPN) -- The Individual Ready Reserve is "a key component" of America's total military force, a senior Defense Department official said May 17 at the 2005 Reserve Personnel Center Commanders'/IRR Conference in Denver.Consisting of about 300,000 people, the IRR "presents a valuable pool" of trained military manpower for the nation, said David S.C. Chu, undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness.IRR members have prior training and experience in active, Guard or Reserve units, but they have been discharged and are no longer serving in military units. However, they have time remaining to fulfill their eight-year total-service obligations.Some IRR members have volunteered for duty in the war against terrorism, while others in key military specialties have been called up for continued service, Mr. Chu said.About 30,000 IRR members were called up for service from 1990 to 1991 during the Gulf War, he said. Today, "substantially fewer" IRR members have been called up for service in the war against terrorism.The more recent IRR call-ups have generated some misunderstanding among affected servicemembers and the general public, Mr. Chu said.Therefore, it is important that military leaders take the time to explain to IRR members what is expected of them in terms of possible further military service, Mr. Chu said.Former IRR members serving in the war against terrorism have received high marks from commanders and are "extremely valuable assets," he said.