{"id":64697,"date":"2020-01-08T10:00:38","date_gmt":"2020-01-08T10:00:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/uncategorized\/2020\/01\/08\/in-the-irr-or-national-guard-marking-your-time-activation-and-deployment-orders-know-your-rights-or-go-at-your-own-peril\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T12:39:28","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T12:39:28","slug":"in-the-irr-or-national-guard-marking-your-time-activation-and-deployment-orders-know-your-rights-or-go-at-your-own-peril","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/opinion\/commentary\/2020\/01\/08\/in-the-irr-or-national-guard-marking-your-time-activation-and-deployment-orders-know-your-rights-or-go-at-your-own-peril\/","title":{"rendered":"In the IRR or National Guard marking your time? Activation and deployment orders \u2014 know your rights or go at your own peril"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

You have been marking time in the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) or even the National Guard or the Army Reserves for almost a decade now. You have established a career, a family, and the responsibilities that come with those things when suddenly you are faced with activation and deployment orders. Your world just blew up. Now what?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recent events in the Middle East portend activation and deployment orders for thousands, if not a 100,000 service members by the end game. Individuals who have served in the National Guard or Reserves may do so believing their commitment will likely remain restricted to weekends or a few weeks a year. While activation and deployment orders are always possible, these soldiers, sailors, Marines, and airmen may not be prepared, especially those who serve in the IRR, to activate and deploy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reservists and members of the National Guard should certainly take note and, of course, have a plan in place, especially if they are not in a position to deploy because of work and\/or family obligations. But Congress has also allowed for service members to request delay and exemption from orders, through the delay and exemption board. But you must meet the statutory and regulatory bases. And, like everything, timing is critical.<\/p>\n\n\n\t