Reservists vital for seamless flow of business

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Austin May
  • 962nd Airborne Air Control Squadron
ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska (AFPN) --  In this time of heightened operations tempo, Air Force units are constantly cycling in and out of different conflict zones worldwide. With a few exceptions, servicemembers in almost every career field in the military have the potential to be sent on a temporary duty assignment for extended periods of time.

For command and other key active-duty positions, simply leaving a unit for several months at a time without a dedicated replacement is not an option that would benefit the smooth day-to-day operations of the Air Force.

Such is the case for Maj. Matt Eatman, the 3rd Security Forces Squadron commander here, who recently deployed. Maj. Scott Tagg, an individual mobilization augmentee, stepped in to help continue its seamless flow of business.

The Air Force Reserve was started in the late 1940s to maintain a pool of trained soldiers who could be activated easily in times of need. In 1947, an Air Defense Command regulation defined the Air Force Reserve's IMA program. In 2003, the Air Reserve Personnel Center supported about 12,000 IMAs.

IMAs are similar to unit reservists in that they are an ever-ready back-up force poised to step in when needed.

"In a nutshell, IMAs are backfill for active-duty components," Major Tagg said. "When an active-duty member deploys downrange, an IMA backfills at home station.”

IMAs do not belong to a specific Reserve unit. Instead, they are permanently assigned to a specific position in an active-duty organization, often arranging their own training and participation.

"The amount of training is similar to what a unit reservist or (Guardsman) calls drill," Major Tagg said. "But we do it during the week, when the active duty (airman) works. Jobs such as security forces and firefighters are a bit different because they work 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so their duty hours also include the weekends. You work with your active-duty supervisor on scheduling."

When a Reserve unit is activated, the airmen will work completely as a unit. IMAs are typically individuals assigned to leadership positions.

The purpose of working so closely with the active-duty units is that when called to service, IMAs will be working directly within their assigned active organizations and be familiar with the operation.

"Major Eatman has deployed downrange, and my role is to come in and backfill for him. So in essence, Elmendorf Air Force Base is my deployment location," Major Tagg said.

However, the IMA program here may differ slightly from other installations.

"The thing about the IMA program is that it isn't standard across the Air Force," Major Tagg said. "Some bases may have a lot of IMAs, and some bases may only have three."

The main goal of the IMA program is continuity, Major Tagg said. An individual has to be a reservist to be an IMA; however, it is also preferred that the applicant be prior active duty.

"Sometimes we get people from the Guard or Reserve unit program, but the most important thing is that they're trained," Major Tagg said. "It's a small program, with not a lot of funding, so we want to ensure that these people are truly qualified when they come to us."

Being an IMA has several perks that the Reserve unit program cannot offer.

"One benefit is that this is a very flexible program," Major Tagg said. "IMAs work directly with the active-duty force, as opposed to working with Guard or Reserve units. On the active side, you may be doing some missions that the Guard or Reserve does not do."

As well as a varied mission, working with the active-duty Air Force lends itself to more assignment options.

"It gives me the opportunity to work on a larger installation,” Major Tagg said. “Guard bases are usually a lot smaller.”

As for assignments, it is all about opportunity. Applicants will submit a package for a vacant position at the base of their choosing, he said.

"And it's all (major command) specific," Major Tagg said. "If I was looking for a job at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, I'd have to call up Air Combat Command and ask what was available."

There is no set tour length, either. If an IMA wishes to re-assign, he or she must search for an open position and apply for it.

The IMA program is a vital part of a smooth running Air Force. While the Guard and Reserve units keep the military adequately staffed in times of need, the units would not be able to function properly without these individuals and their key positions.

"As with unit organizations within the Guard or Reserve, the IMA program would not be able to function without family or employer support," Major Tagg said.