US army set to call up reserves
The US Army is preparing to notify about 5,600 retired and discharged soldiers who are not members of the National Guard or Reserve that they will be involuntarily recalled to active duty for possible service in Iraq or Afghanistan, Army officials said in Washington.
It marks the first time the Army has called on the Individual Ready Reserve, as this category of reservists is known, in substantial numbers since the 1991 Gulf War.
Several hundred of them have volunteered for active-duty service since the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
Some 138,000 US troops are in Iraq, along with far smaller units from 31 other countries.
Those who are part of the involuntary call up are likely to be assigned to National Guard or Reserve units that have been mobilised for duty in Iraq or Afghanistan, according to Army officials.
Members of Congress were being notified of the decision today, the officials said.
Any former enlisted soldier who did not serve at least eight years on active duty is in the Individual Ready Reserve pool, as are all officers who have not resigned their commission.
