Improving Muster Rates for the Individual Ready Reserve: Army Reserve Career Counselors Survey

The Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) consists of trained Soldiers who, if required, may augment the Army during national emergencies. IRR Soldiers are required to complete annual readiness checks, or musters. In 2019, 87% of IRR Soldiers failed to comply with their muster orders. A non-response to muster orders can detrimentally affect Army readiness. This research report describes the results of a survey and a focus group protocol that were administered to Army Reserve Career Counselors (ARCCs), who counsel IRR Soldiers and administer musters. The survey and focus group protocol asked ARCCs what Soldiers typically knew about their responsibilities to the IRR and what factors ARCCs thought might motivate muster compliance. ARCCs reported that Soldiers typically knew little to nothing about the IRR and that providing relevant information on a regulated schedule regarding the IRR, by a variety of offices, might improve muster rates. Other factors that ARCCs indicated could improve muster rates included: having IRR Soldiers' current contact information, implementing consequences for not attending muster, and providing more flexibility in when and where IRR Soldiers could muster. These factors could also be enabled by improving how Soldiers were educated about the IRR.