Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) and Exemptions from Involuntary Mobilization

Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) Related Testimonials:

Involuntary mobilizations (call ups) from the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) can and have occurred during times of national emergency, crisis and/or war. The IRR is comprised of approximately 100,000 service members who have either yet to complete their statutory eight year Military Service Obligation (MSO), or who have reached their MSO but are still being carried in the IRR in an inactive status. Individuals in the IRR remain subject to involuntary recall/mobilization unless and until they request an exemption, deferment or delay from orders, or until the service member who has fulfilled his or her MSO has taken affirmative action to be released/discharged from the IRR and any further military service.

Widespread IRR involuntary mobilizations occurred most recently after the 9/11 attacks of September 2001, and lasted until approximately 2009/2010. With COVID-19 hitting our country and world, there has been some speculation that IRR involuntary mobilizations may be resurrected per Department of Defense (DoD) policy.

The IRR pool, and individuals within it, possess certain skills, training, education and experience which can often prove to be a valuable and sought after force multiplier in any given situation, crisis, or emergency. And as such, IRR members who have fulfilled their MSO, or those with multiple combat deployments, medical, business, educational or family hardships, should periodically evaluate, monitor and assess their status as an IRR asset subject to involuntary recall.

We have successfully represented many former service members who have come to us for an exemption from IRR involuntary mobilization. The stakes are usually high, there’s often a relatively short suspense involved, which only heightens the stress felt by the Soldier, or their family member, and more often than not, especially in cases where medical evidence, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and/or other behavioral health issues present, the client is often reluctant to talk about what’s really going on in his or her life. Our team can and has handled all of that stuff - calmly, thoroughly and most importantly, compassionately. We know this area of administrative military law well, and we have extensive experience in all aspects of the IRR recall process and how to defend against it.

Please feel free to review the testimonials from former IRR exemption from involuntary mobilization clients here on this website. As an IRR Recall Attorney and Military Lawyer, Bill Meili and his team have successfully defended many service members facing involuntary recall out of the IRR. We have been able to help many talented, decorated and deserving Soldiers make it through an extremely difficult time in their lives by working all aspects of this system, hard over time, and ultimately seeing the right result come down for the right reasons.

If you are in need of assistance with your involuntary mobilization defense, give Bill Meili and his office a call today: 214-363-1828 or Toll Free: 866 578-0164.

I contacted Col. Meili as a fellow practitioner to gain some context and perspective on a pretty complex set of issues. Because I practice in a different field of law, Col. Meili's extensive expertise was invaluable and he was more than generous with his time. A skilled and dedicated professional who cares deeply about obtaining the best possible outcome for his clients, Bill's a leader in this field.

- Steffen Chapin


After an exhaustive search of military attorneys, I came across the name of Bill Meili. From my first email exchange and telephone call, I knew that Bill was the right person to handle my case. I had discussed my unique circumstance with a handful of other attorneys who felt it may be too difficult to achieve the outcome that I was seeking - but Bill was interested in me and my case, and wholeheartedly believed that we had the ball in our court. I could tell that Bill cared about me as a person and soldier, not just viewing me as a paycheck.

- Anonymous