Total Force Integration is teamwork at its finest

  • Published
  • By Capt Jessica Martin
  • 926th Group public affairs
Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. --  The Air Force Reserve has more than 67,500 members subject to recall in time of war or national emergency. Many of those reservists are already serving regularly, and some on a daily basis within Regular Air Force units.

Currently, 18 percent of reservists across Air Force Reserve Command are in full-time status. However, that number is steadily growing as part of the Department of Defense's Total Force Integration program. A prime example here is the 926th Group, where half of its 160 members are working full-time.

The 926 GP's five squadrons, one flight and two detachments have personnel integrated into REGAF units across Nellis and Creech Air Force Base, as well as at Schriever Air Force Base, Colo., Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., and Hurlburt Field, Fla., working side by side their REGAF counterparts every day.

With reservists integrated throughout the bases, it can be difficult to distinguish them from REGAF personnel. Below is a breakdown of Air Force Reserve categories to help understand status differences.

Traditional Reserve
The TR is the customary program. TRs report for duty at least two days a month and two weeks a year. Their training days directly support Air Force Reserve Command-assigned missions.

Active Guard and Reserve
An AGR serves on active duty or full-time National Guard duty for a period of 180 consecutive days or more, up to several years in one assignment. The purpose of their duty is organizing, administering, recruiting, instructing or training Reserve components.

Air Reserve Technician
An ART carries dual status, working as a full-time DoD civil service employee and as a reservist performing the same job. ARTs are civilian employees throughout the five-day workweek and fulfill additional reserve training days twice a month and two weeks a year. ARTs wear the uniform as both civilian and military employees.

Individual Mobilization Augmentee
IMAs are assigned to active-duty units to do jobs that are essential in wartime but do not require full-time manning during times of peace. IMAs are required to perform a minimum of 24 training days throughout the year.

Regardless of the status, REGAF, civilian employees, TRs, AGRs, ARTs and IMAs all work together as part of Total Force Integration to fight and win the Global War on Terror and prepare for tomorrow's challenges.

(Story contributed to by Air Force Reserve Command and Air Force Personnel Center web sites)