The IRR is comprised of both the VTU and the ASP. If you are concerned, just sign up for the IRR/VTU to finish up your 20.
The VTU is not part of the Selected Reserve. They are part of the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) and are not racked and stacked nor are they on any "short" or "mob" list. SELRES are mobilized under different authorities than IRR and The only people who are racked and stacked for mobilization are the SELRES. The last time that I read about anyone being involuntarily mobilized from the VTU was in 2004 and before that, 1991.
In the VTU you are required to maintain readiness (medical, dental, PFA, etc.) and you receive no pay, only retirement points. You are not required to perform Annual Training (AT) and do not need it to earn the 50 points for a "good year." You get your 15 participation points, the 48 drill points, plus whatever, if any, you earn throughout the year. You can go on ADT, ADSW, and non-pay AT (if you choose) and can volunteer to mobilize (some do). You also have a CAC card. You have to pay DFAS directly for your SGLI and the Reserve Tricare costs more.
The VTU is not a bad deal at all if all you are looking to do is to ride it out until retirement. On drill weekend you will literally sit around at the Reserve Center doing nothing if you so choose.
If you cannot go from Active Duty directly to VTU, then simply affiliate with the SELRES and after you are affiliated, request a transfer to the IRR/VTU. If you are coming to the SELRES from Active Duty you get a 2 year mobilization deferment so you do not have to worry about that.
Here are all of the authorities associated with Reservists...
The VTU is not part of the Selected Reserve. They are part of the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) and are not racked and stacked nor are they on any "short" or "mob" list. SELRES are mobilized under different authorities than IRR and The only people who are racked and stacked for mobilization are the SELRES. The last time that I read about anyone being involuntarily mobilized from the VTU was in 2004 and before that, 1991.
In the VTU you are required to maintain readiness (medical, dental, PFA, etc.) and you receive no pay, only retirement points. You are not required to perform Annual Training (AT) and do not need it to earn the 50 points for a "good year." You get your 15 participation points, the 48 drill points, plus whatever, if any, you earn throughout the year. You can go on ADT, ADSW, and non-pay AT (if you choose) and can volunteer to mobilize (some do). You also have a CAC card. You have to pay DFAS directly for your SGLI and the Reserve Tricare costs more.
The VTU is not a bad deal at all if all you are looking to do is to ride it out until retirement. On drill weekend you will literally sit around at the Reserve Center doing nothing if you so choose.
If you cannot go from Active Duty directly to VTU, then simply affiliate with the SELRES and after you are affiliated, request a transfer to the IRR/VTU. If you are coming to the SELRES from Active Duty you get a 2 year mobilization deferment so you do not have to worry about that.
Here are all of the authorities associated with Reservists...
- IDT/IDTT - 10 U.S. Code § 10147 Training Requirements
- AT - 10 U.S. Code § 10147 Training Requirements and § 12301(b) Reserve components generally
- Funeral Honors - 10 U.S. Code § 12503 Ready Reserve: funeral honors duty
- Initial Active Duty for Training (IADT) - 10 U.S. Code § 12301(d) Reserve components generally
- Active Duty for Training (ADT) for Operational Support - 10 U.S. Code § 12301(d) Reserve components generally
- Active Duty for Training (ADT) for Schools - 10 U.S. Code § 12301(d) Reserve components generally
- Active Duty for Special Work (ADSW) - 10 U.S. Code § 12301(d) Reserve components generally
- Mobilization (Voluntary) - 10 U.S. Code § 12301(d) Reserve components generally
- Full Mobilization (Involuntary, During War Time) - 10 U.S. Code § 12301(a) Reserve components generally
- Partial Mobilization (Involuntary) - 10 U.S. Code § 12302 Ready Reserve
- Presidential Recall (PRC) - 10 U.S. Code § 12304 Selected Reserve and certain Individual Ready Reserve members; order to active duty other than during war or national emergency
- Full-Time Support (FTS Recall) - 10 U.S. Code § 12301(d) Reserve components generally