Course brings new Reservists into the fold

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Timm Huffman
  • HQ RIO
BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. --  Thirty-three new Individual Reservists took part in the Readiness and Integration Organization's first IR Orientation Course, Sept. 9-11.

Fourteen members attended the in-residence course and an additional 24 tuned in from around the world on their home computers, to learn the ins and outs of being an individual mobilization augmentee or participating individual ready reservist.

The orientation was hosted by RIO Detachment 5, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia.

The three-day course covered topics relevant to mission readiness and reservist's careers. These included IR roles and responsibility, readiness management, deployments, how to generate orders and travel pay.

For Tech. Sgt. Jacob Gjesvold, who joined the IR ranks in May, the course was his first time on duty as a Reservist. He said the orientation was very informative, especially in the areas of helping him to establish his annual duty calendar, how to get paid and how to use the computer-based programs IRs need to use.

"All of the topics were relevant and provided great insight into how they relate to IMAs," said the Detachment 7 IMA.

Those not attending in-person were able to watch via Defense Connect Online video conferencing. Remote viewers were able to listen in and watch the briefings. They were also able to chat with other attendees and to ask question using the built-in messenger.

Maj. Isobelle Mahoney, an IMA since April, was one of the remote attendees. She said that in addition to helping her understand the nuances of the IR program, having the flexibility to take the course remotely was a big bonus.

"It was definitely worth it to have the convenience of logging in from home. This was least disruptive to my family and our schedule," she said.

Subject matter experts from within RIO and Air Force Reserve Command deliver the presentations. According to Chief Master Sgt. Kenneth W. Turner, Detachment 5 superintendent, the orientation was very interactive and presented IRs with a great opportunity to connect with other IMAs, ask questions and interact with experts during question and answer sessions.

"The course gave members the opportunity to gain an understanding of the hands-on piece of the systems they are required to use while participating [in the IR program]," said Chief Turner.

Gjesvold commented that he enjoyed the relaxed environment and the access he had to ask questions of the experts, which included Col. Chester V. Frost III, RIO Detachment 5 commander.

"At first I thought he was just there to introduce the course, but he was there the entire time, playing the role of Devil's advocate and introducing "what if" scenarios," said Gjesvold. "He was very personable, as were all the instructors, and interactions were constant."

The IR Orientation course is held four times a year and is open to members who have joined the IR in the last 365 days. Reservists wishing to attend can do so on school-tour orders. The next course is scheduled to take place Dec. 9-11 at MacDill AFB, Florida. If interested in attending, new IRs should contact their servicing RIO detachment.

Mahoney said she recommends the course to other new members in the program, especially those having difficulty or feeling uncomfortable using the Air Force personnel systems at home.

"The IR Orientation hammered that IMA doesn't mean I'M Alone. Rather that it stands for I'M Accountable for my readiness and scheduling of required duties to support the overall Air Force mission, while obtaining a good year," she said. "And I know my detachment is there to provide help and point me in the right direction to resolve issues."