Former soldiers slow to report

By Tom Squitieri, USA TODAY

WASHINGTON — Fewer than two-thirds of the former soldiers being reactivated for duty in Iraq and elsewhere have reported on time, prompting the Army to threaten some with punishment for desertion.

The former soldiers, part of what is known as the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR), are being recalled to fill shortages in skills needed for the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Of the 1,662 ready reservists ordered to report to Fort Jackson, S.C., by Sept. 22, only 1,038 had done so, the Army said Monday. About 500 of those who failed to report have requested exemptions on health or personal grounds...

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/...reserves_x.htm

I wonder what skill they're bringing up. Doubtful they'd be combat arms.

You are quite right.

"...In this instance, however, the military says 20% of the call-ups are truck drivers, 12% are supply specialists who can use a computer to track supplies, 10% are Humvee mechanics, 7% are administrative specialists and 6% are combat engineers. Smaller numbers of cooks, carpenters, cable system installers and petroleum supply specialists have also been called to duty..."

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/...rrcallup_x.htm