Marines Satisfied With IRR Callup Ceiling

The Marine Corps’ callup of some 1,800 Individual Ready Reserves will near the limit of 2,500 IRR troops the Marines can put on active duty at one time. Nevertheless, Marine Commandant Gen. James Conway says he has no plans to ask the president to raise the limit. However, he told a Senate panel that the deployment tempo leaves Marines only enough time during their dwell period to conduct refresher training before re-deploying. He also acknowledged concern that the short turnaround time prevents the Corps from preparing for other contingencies because it is no longer conducting combined arms live-fire exercises at Twentynine Palms. Marines also are receiving little mountain-warfare, jungle or amphibious training, he said.