Marine Families Invited to I.R.R. Muster Screening in Dallas

Photo By Lt.Cmdr. Amy Forsythe | The MOBCOM Muster team in Dallas, Texas, March 27, 2010.  

DALLAS, TX, UNITED STATES

04.06.2010

Story by Staff Sgt. Amy Forsythe 

Marine Forces Reserve (MARFORRES)

More than 1,000 Marines and their family members attended a muster screening in Allen, Texas, March 27. Mobilization Command based in Kansas City, Mo., sends teams of Marines and civilians to host events to ensure veterans have access to resources once they leave active duty military service.

Marines are invited to bring their spouses or other family members to the half-day sessions, which has increased the turnout said, muster coordinator Keith Hulet. By allowing family members to attend, it provides them with an opportunity to interact with the Veteran's Affairs representatives and ask questions about programs and services that they didn't know about. All attendees were compensated approximately $205 for attending the two-hour seminar.

Lt. Col. Dave Rosner, a reservist from New York City, was the emcee for the event and kept Marines and their guests laughing in between speakers. Rosner is a stand-up comedian who often tells jokes about his time in the Marines to get people laughing. His experience as a reservist makes him a good candidate to answer any questions for those Marines who might want to re-affiliate with the Marines.

MOBCOM conducts about 10 musters annually in major U.S. cities to remind Marines of their obligated service beyond their four years of active duty and to ensure Marines are getting the most out of their veteran's benefits. On average, about 60 percent of the Marines who receive orders attend the regional seminars, which has been an increased in the past years.

MOBCOM has teamed up with various veteran advocate groups and regional businesses to offer information and resources to attendees. Representatives from the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Wounded Warrior Regiment, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserves and various other organizations were on hand to answer questions and assist IRR Marines with any issues they may be experiencing since leaving active duty.

Many of the service members have returned to their hometowns and are now working or attending college in the local area. But just because they've left active duty, doesn't mean they have to go at it alone. A Navy medical team was on hand to conduct a Post-Deployment Health Re-Assessment to update each member's medical status. Post-deployment health issues can surface long after service members leave active duty. The muster screenings offer a chance for Marines to re-connect with representatives from organizations they may have forgotten about since transitioning.

Veterans Affairs health benefits and G.I. Bill entitlements drew the majority of the questions from the audience ranging from eligibility requirements to enrollment procedures. Many of the spouses and family members are learning about these resources for the first time during the seminar. They can now establish contacts within their local area and build networks of support. Other VA partners who had booths set up at the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel included: Marine For Life, American Legion, Wounded Warrior Regiment and the Texas Office of Public Safety.

Continued military obligations and possible opportunities to serve in the U.S. Marine Reserves were also outlined in the two-hour seminar. When Marines leave active duty after their first four years, they have four years of obligated service remaining.
These following four years are served in the Individual Ready Reserve. MOBCOM's goal is to conduct enough muster screenings so that every Marine will receive orders to attend within the first 12-to-24 months after leaving active duty.

It's unlikely that any IRR Marines will be called back to active duty, but it is mandatory for the service member to provide MOBCOM updated contact information and any changes in their marital status or health conditions. However, muster screenings are vital to keeping the Marine Corps' total force ready for any contingency.

If you have any questions about your requirements or how to attend a muster screening, contact MOBCOM at [phone].

• Date Taken: 04.06.2010
• Date Posted: 04.06.2010 13:15
• Story ID: 47755
• Location: DALLAS, TX, US