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                         November 21, 2001

Record number of vets volunteer for recall

By Staff Sgt. Marcia Triggs

WASHINGTON (Army News Service, Nov. 13, 2001) - In extraordinary numbers, veterans are inquiring how they can support America’s first war of the century.

Those inquiries, however, do not yet equate to large numbers of veterans coming back to active duty.

"The week after Sept. 11, we received over 200 telephone calls, and are processing 200 applicants, but it will be another month before I will know if the calls lead to an increase in recalls," said Lt. Col. Brett Floro, chief of officer accessions at the U.S. Total Army Personnel Command.

The U.S. Army Recruiting Command, which handles prior-service enlisted soldiers and reservists, reports that it has also received an increased amount of inquiries since Sept. 11, but not a significant increase in prior-service enlistments.

A communications specialist in Colorado Springs, Colo., realized two days after the attack that he needed to step up and do the right thing for his country, he said.

"I got out of the Army as a captain after I got married because I was having to spend a lot of time in the field, but if my country needs me to, I’ll sit in a field out in the middle of nowhere," said Johnpaul Arnold, a former tactical communications officer.

During an over-the-phone interview, Arnold’s voice started to crack as he talked about his father, a veteran of the Vietnam War.

"I know that this is going to be a major sacrifice, but I heard the call, and I’m responding," Arnold said.

"I admire the veterans who have fought for our country, and I just want to do my part," Arnold added. His application is being processed, but he’s confident that he will be issued orders.

Before the attack on America, both PERSCOM and USAREC had programs in place to accept veterans.

Call to Active Duty was enacted in fiscal year 1997 when a shortage of aviation warrant officers was identified, Floro said. The program was extended to officers who are qualified in branches that have slots that need to be filled, he said.

Retired aviators also fall under the Call to Active Duty program, but they have to go through the U.S. Army Reserve Personnel Command for more information.

"We are not offering any incentives for officers that come back in," Floro said. "We’re advertising this program for officers who realize that they miss being part of the Army team, miss being part of this family and want to get back to a unit."

The initial contract for officers who come back to active duty is three years. The intent is to fulfill a career, not complete the minimum, Floro said. However, in order to fulfill a career, applicants must be able to meet certain criteria.

Officers have to be able to complete 20 years of active federal commission service before they reach age 55. Their previous years on active duty will count toward their recall time, Floro said.

Prior enlisted officers would have to be able to complete 10 years of active federal commissioned service prior to completing 20 years of active federal service.

Out of the 200 applications that PERSCOM is currently processing, Floro said as long as they meet the career qualifications, he doesn’t see any reason why they won’t get approved.

"The biggest cause for disapproval will come from those who were separated from the Army because of disability," Floro said.

Acceptance into the military for prior-service soldiers will depend on their last discharge, said Frank Shaffery, deputy director of recruiting operations for USAREC.

"We do not process retirees here, and we do not accept individuals who were barred from re-enlistment," Shaffery said. "Any person that has displayed poor performance or poor character will be denied re-entry, unless he goes through PERSCOM and gets a waiver."

Bonuses are being offered to people who enlist for combat arms specialties. But, Shaffery said, USAREC would never give an individual a better opportunity to come in off the street than they would give a soldier who re-enlists.

More information on the officer Call to Active Duty Program is available at www.perscom.army.mil/opdistacc/calltoAD.htm, or www.goarmy.com for prior service members.