Individual Augmentees (IA'S)

[Infantrymen]

Individual Augmentees (IA'S)---Be prepared!

By: Pacific Fleet Master Chief (SS/SW) R. D. West

Hoo-yah, Warriors! Today's article is about Individual Augmentees (IA's). You've seen emails, news stories and Naval messages that address this topic, so hopefully by me addressing IA's I can either answer your questions or direct you to the right location for your answer.

For 3 years we've had Sailors in Iraq, Afghanistan, GTMO, Cuba and the Horn of Africa supporting efforts in the war on terror. Navy heroes have stepped up to the plate and have answered the call as IAs and continue to do so. BZ to you!

In the future we will continue to increase and maintain our support. NAVADMIN 83/06 outlined the need for IA readiness. The message was simple and to the point; All Sailors are potential IA's and all Sailors need to be ready to support the War on Terror.

Let me discuss that: The Navy along with our sister services are not only conducting combat operations we are providing support in things such as law enforcement, EOD, intelligence, linguistics, and public affairs. Obviously this list is not all-inclusive, and as the needs and missions shift, we need to be ready to adapt.

Additionally, our Navy has been heavily involved in detainee operations, civil affairs missions and provisional reconstruction teams to name a few; doing all this while keeping the world sea-lanes clear and meeting the maritime mission worldwide.

We are an "Any Mission, Any time" Navy.
How else can you help? One major discrepancy pointed out in the recent NAVADMIN was a lack of personal readiness on the part of individual sailors preparing to deploy.

That means Page 2s and security clearances updated, good physical conditioning, medical and dental health is maintained, and all the other financial, legal and personal affairs are handled.
Not to make too fine a point on the issue, we recently sent a large number of Sailors to their initial combat training in preparation for their IA assignments.
Of that group, many had significant medical readiness issues that negatively impacted an already tight training schedule. We can't afford to do this.
I know about this impact because Navy leadership has visited Fort Jackson, S.C., and watched the training our Sailors are undergoing.
The Force Master Chief of Manpower, Personnel, Training and Education, Master Chief Mike McCalip, told me that during his recent visit he saw (1) outstanding Sailors who were upbeat, focused, and showed positive attitudes about preparing to deploy to support the war on terror, (2) A Navy training staff that was focused on getting our warriors ready for deployment, and (3) a cadre of U.S. Army DIs who are dedicated to helping our Sailors understand new and unfamiliar mission areas.

I would expect nothing less, but the Navy-Army training team can only do so much. We have to do our part and ensure we are ready, when called upon.
Which brings me to my next point. Pre-screening for IA. Again, it falls to our front-line leadership to make sure we are doing the right thing by the Navy and the Sailors.

When the IA call goes out, we need to make sure the people we send can do the job. They have to be physically, medically, and mentally ready. Just checking the box with a name is the wrong answer.
Now I realize the job of finding just the right person, with the right skills, and completely prepared isn't always easy. No one ever said it would be. The Navy is taking several steps to lessen the impact IA duty has on Sailors and their families.

First, leadership is engaged to reduce the personal and family hardships of IA by increasing the notification lead times. This will give us the time we need to help our Sailors prepare as well as take care of family matters.
Second, the Navy is putting out as much advance information as possible through the Navy Knowledge Online (WWW.NKO.NAVY.MIL) portals by developing an Individual Augmentation portal page.

When you log into NKO, there is a large box at the top of the homepage asking if you are an individual augmentee preparing for deployment. Click there and it will take you to everything you could possibly want to know. The portal includes Fort Jackson training information, uniform requirements, IA checklists, the whole nine yards.

Please make use of this service, as its only purpose is to make your life easier.

Wrapping it all for you, the IA requirements are a reality and we must be ready - from junior to senior, officer to enlisted. That means individually, we keep ourselves in a deployable status. On the leadership side, we must ensure we are leading and managing our folks to the highest possible state of readiness in case the call comes.

I realize very much how disruptive individual augmentation can be for not only the commands but for the Sailors and their families, but if we all keep focus, we can keep that disruption to a minimum and complete the mission while taking care of the business at hand.

Keep up the great work you all are doing, we are making a difference on the oceans, in the air and on the ground. I look forward to seeing you in the Fleet.

Fleet Tip: All personnel (Sailors, Families and Ombudsman) should log onto NKO and review the checklist for IA assignments. If you want to volunteer, contact your chain of command. Be ready! HOO YAH!

More...