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VTU Gouge

Question, I'm a bit confused---is VTU the same as IRR? If I travel overseas for my civilian job for 1-2 years and can't travel back to the US to drill because it's too expensive, would I have to be in a VTU then go back to a select reserve unit when I come back to the US?
VTU is technically part of IRR. For practical purposes, it's no pay SELRES as you drill and get fitreps...but no pay.

You could contact VTU CO about telecommuting options (zillions of rules, but since you're not paid their prob won't be same scrutiny). It will be easier to transfer back to SELRES if you stay VTU. From the IRR, you'll basically have to apply again (MEPS, etc...)
 

subreservist

Well-Known Member
Question, I'm a bit confused---is VTU the same as IRR? If I travel overseas for my civilian job for 1-2 years and can't travel back to the US to drill because it's too expensive, would I have to be in a VTU then go back to a select reserve unit when I come back to the US?

Checking your history, you are new to the reserves and haven't even truly started yet as a new IDC pickup. You have several options available and I won't event try getting into all of them here, because you left out too many variables in your initial question...best for you to inquire at your NOSC/assigned command.

Bottom line: you don't necessarily have to go VTU. Some units drill quarterly, some drill all at once in the Fiscal year...you can also be excused from a certain number of drills. Plus, there are overseas reserve units. I ran into one in Naples, Italy. Granted, there is a Navy base there, which is my point to info you left out...not sure where you intend to go overseas, but if it's near a military base, even if it's not Navy, you might be able to drill there.

The NOSC may not be able to answer all of your questions, but they should be able to provide you some alternatives to VTU if you want to be in pay status. In the reserves, you have to be diligent in finding your own solutions to certain issues.
 

wink

War Hoover NFO.
None
Super Moderator
Contributor
I drilled in downtown London right off Bond St (since moved to Naples). One of my buds there had drilled in a unit in Japan. There was another reserve unit at a RAF base in suburban London. Those are just the ones I know of. As subreservist said. There are overseas options.
 

Flash

SEVAL/ECMO
None
Super Moderator
Contributor
...Bottom line: you don't necessarily have to go VTU. Some units drill quarterly, some drill all at once in the Fiscal year...you can also be excused from a certain number of drills. Plus, there are overseas reserve units. I ran into one in Naples, Italy. Granted, there is a Navy base there, which is my point to info you left out...not sure where you intend to go overseas, but if it's near a military base, even if it's not Navy, you might be able to drill there...

The Navy Reserve today is very flexible even for folks who live overseas, I have known many folks who have had a successful career as SELRES who hadn't live in CONUS for a decade or more. In the NATO and watch center units I was in we had several folks who lived in Europe and actually showed up to 'drill' occasionally but were able to work it so they still met their commitments (drilled in Europe, spent 2-3 twice a year in the states, etc). In my current unit we have one guy who live s in Hong Kong and hasn't shown up for a single drill in the 3 years I have been in the unit, he is at almost every exercise we do though (one every 2-4 months).

So as subreservist said, there are plenty of options.
 

rotorhead1871

UH-1N.....NAS Agana, Guam....circa 1975
pilot
Been talking with BUPERS about transitioning from IRR to SELRES next year after I finish grad school. Looks like in the current retention climate it's all but impossible to make the switch. Thinking about VTU to build up some credibility to work towards SELRES and am looking for some gouge from anyone that's done VTU. Is it worth trying, or is it going to be absolutely skull dragging and I'm better off sticking with correspondence courses?
most important to get those good years!!....vtu could be fun if its close and they can a slot you like, i did a combo vtu/irr for my last 2 years.....

best of luck.
 

N4Life

Member
A word of warning, make sure you keep notes on who you talk to at the NOSC and followup on any BS. When I first joined the IRR (and before I learned about airwarriors) I asked the local NOSC about drilling as an IRR until I could join the SELRES. The NOSC claimed only SELRES could drill at a NOSC. Later when the recruiter mentioned the VTU (why didn't Pers-93?), the NOSC stated it was only for enlisted, officers couldn't participate. It was almost a year later before the NOSC admitted anyone could do the VTU.
 

Flash

SEVAL/ECMO
None
Super Moderator
Contributor
A word of warning, make sure you keep notes on who you talk to at the NOSC and followup on any BS. When I first joined the IRR (and before I learned about airwarriors) I asked the local NOSC about drilling as an IRR until I could join the SELRES. The NOSC claimed only SELRES could drill at a NOSC. Later when the recruiter mentioned the VTU (why didn't Pers-93?), the NOSC stated it was only for enlisted, officers couldn't participate. It was almost a year later before the NOSC admitted anyone could do the VTU.

Sounds like a screwed up NOSC. My only NOSC experiences have been with DC and Norfolk, both are huge and screwed up in their own special ways but they have never lied to me or others that I know of like that.
 

rotorhead1871

UH-1N.....NAS Agana, Guam....circa 1975
pilot
you hope these guys in positions that can help the reservist, really DO help!!...just dont let it discourage you....get them good years!, doing something you like. that retirement with tricare comes in real handy as you hit the 60 mark.

DO IT!...keep the faith
 
A word of warning, make sure you keep notes on who you talk to at the NOSC and followup on any BS. When I first joined the IRR (and before I learned about airwarriors) I asked the local NOSC about drilling as an IRR until I could join the SELRES. The NOSC claimed only SELRES could drill at a NOSC. Later when the recruiter mentioned the VTU (why didn't Pers-93?), the NOSC stated it was only for enlisted, officers couldn't participate. It was almost a year later before the NOSC admitted anyone could do the VTU.
Yeah, I think every reservist (SELRES and IRR) should print out 1001.39, and also politely ask for the reference when getting gouge. 1001.39 answers most questions, and if you're familiar with it you can often times catch this BS and nip it in the bud.

Good luck!
 

rotorhead1871

UH-1N.....NAS Agana, Guam....circa 1975
pilot
The Navy Reserve is offering 'continuation' to some officers in certain designators past their mandatory retirement/separation dates. I know two folks who were 'continued' and two more that have put in for it. As far as I know this has only started happening in the past year. The obvious implication is the reserves is short of some folks, backed up to me by some units having trouble filling billets.

interesting.....what designators??
 
interesting.....what designators??
I think the BUPERS website down right now, but they publish a "continuation plan" every two years (labeled like "FY 15/16 Continuation Plan"), but it also says it stays in effect until superceded. I think the most recent ones have basically included all URL O-4s for continuation to 24 years, and if you're a SEAL or healthcare guy you get even more.

I am still not sure how it works--I've heard that if you're covered by the continuation plan, BUPERS will send you a letter to accept; If you sign and return it, you're good. If you've got a bad address or otherwise don't respond, you're not.

I'll re-check BUPERS website when it's up, but I'd love to hear from anyone who's been offered continuation to hear how it went down.
 

Flash

SEVAL/ECMO
None
Super Moderator
Contributor
interesting.....what designators??

...I think the most recent ones have basically included all URL O-4s for continuation to 24 years, and if you're a SEAL or healthcare guy you get even more...

Like VXC said, URL's, Intel and a few staff folks from 0-3 to 0-5. And they are actually extending folks, at least three in my unit, O-3 to O-5. Why? From my small view of the reserves the bulk of the pre-9/11 reservists (folks who were in before then) who stuck around through all the IA's are finally having to retire, we have had about 10 O-5/6's retire out of my unit alone in the past 3 years, and they don't have enough folks to fill the billets they are leaving behind. With a MOB pretty certain nowadays that doesn't provide a big incentive for folks tired of the deployment schedule for the last decade and a half to join.
 

Randy Daytona

Cold War Relic
pilot
Super Moderator
Like VXC said, URL's, Intel and a few staff folks from 0-3 to 0-5. And they are actually extending folks, at least three in my unit, O-3 to O-5. Why? From my small view of the reserves the bulk of the pre-9/11 reservists (folks who were in before then) who stuck around through all the IA's are finally having to retire, we have had about 10 O-5/6's retire out of my unit alone in the past 3 years, and they don't have enough folks to fill the billets they are leaving behind. With a MOB pretty certain nowadays that doesn't provide a big incentive for folks tired of the deployment schedule for the last decade and a half to join.

We are still doing involuntary mobs? What type of billets and where to?
 

Flash

SEVAL/ECMO
None
Super Moderator
Contributor
We are still doing involuntary mobs? What type of billets and where to?

Yes, we have had 4-5 in the past 2 years in my unit with them all going to CENTCOM or AFRICOM. A few more have volunteered for 'domestic' ones.

It has been pretty steady too, one comes down every 6 months or so. Fortunately they are almost all going to billets related to their designator or unit quals, and they are actually doing the jobs when getting there.
 
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