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The United States Army Issues “Utilization of the Army Retiree Recall Program”
Amidst the ongoing Ukraine conflict and speculations regarding France potentially deploying up to 2,000 troops to Ukraine as per Russian intelligence sources, the US Army recently released a significant directive. On March 20th, the US Army Publishing Directorate unveiled ALARACT 017/2024. This document, titled “Utilization of the Army Retiree Recall Program,” refers to Executive Order 13223 in its citations. Executive Order 13223, enacted during the Bush administration on September 14, 2001, is named “Ordering the Ready Reserve of the Armed Forces to Active Duty and Delegating Certain Authorities to the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Transportation.”
The 18-page PDF for ALARACT outlines the purpose of the Retiree Recall program. It defines a recalled retiree as a retired service member ordered to active duty from the Retired Reserve or retired list under specific US codes, serving in their retired status without extending their Mandatory Removal Date (MRD). The authority to approve a Retiree Recall rests with the Assistant Secretary of the Army (ASA) of Manpower and Reserve Affairs (M&RA).
The ALARACT also emphasizes the relevance of Retiree Recall in both mobilization and peacetime operations. Making reference to AR 601-10, the document underlines the management and recall to active duty of retired Soldiers in support of such operations.
Historically, Retiree Recall initiatives have been utilized during critical periods such as the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Desert Storm, 9/11, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. The last formal implementation of Retiree Recall was observed in May 2020, calling for volunteers from the 800,000-strong Individual Ready Reserve and retired Soldiers to aid in the pandemic response efforts.
Moreover, in July 2023, the activation of 3,000 Reservists and 450 members from the Individual Ready Reserves was authorized by a Presidential Action issued by Joe Biden. These individuals were designated to serve in Operation Atlantic Resolve if deemed necessary.
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