Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) Call-Up: Skill Decay

Abstract : Soldiers from the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) called-up for the Persian Gulf war were tested at mobilization stations to determine the extent of skill decay since their release from active duty. Results of these tests, which included hands-on performance, written, and weapon qualification scores, were merged with data from personnel files and responses to a 31-item questionnaire on attitudes, job experience and personal impact of the call-up. The major finds were: (a) knowledge about Army jobs decayed mostly within 6 months; weapons qualification skills decayed mostly after 10 months; (b) previous skill qualification score was the strongest predictor of skill decay followed by AFQT scores; (c) skill decay was higher in Armor and Combat Engineering fields and lower in Infantry, Maintenance, and Supply fields; and (d) skill retention was higher for those who entered the IRR directly from active duty.