IMA program to hire 1,600 by September Published June 21, 2010 By 22nd Air Force Public Affairs DOBBINS AIR RESERVE BASE, Ga -- The Individual Mobilization Augmentee program is set to hire 1,600 Airmen by September in positions opening worldwide in all career fields. Recent attrition rates and the rise of new positions have created a great need to grow the program. Unlike any other Air Force service member, IMAs have flexibility when they work and where. "We're hiring and that is terrific news on several fronts," said Col. Nancy Zbyszinski, commander, Readiness Management Group. The RMG oversees the Air Force's 8,700 IMAs and 1,500 Participating Individual Ready Reservists. "The IMA program offers a unique opportunity to serve in Reserve status for those who are not located near a traditional Guard or Reserve unit, for anyone who cannot commit to one weekend every month, or for anyone who wants to participate in new Air Force missions." Designed under one of several Reserve categories, IMAs do not serve in Reserve organizations, but instead are assigned to active component units - either Air Force or joint. Rather than serving one weekend a month and two weeks a year, IMAs have flexibility in scheduling their annual training requirements. They coordinate with their active component supervisors to arrange duty dates according to the needs of the Air Force and the IMA's civilian schedule. "IMAs are fully integrated into operations of the active component - assigned to more than 40 major commands, combatant commands and defense agencies," said Lt. Gen. Charles Stenner, commander, Air Force Reserve Command. "We want to maintain the right people with the right skill sets in the right places, and the IMA program allows us to do that, along with our other Reserve categories." Flexible duty dates and the chance to work in active duty organizations are just a few advantages of the IMA program. There is also the chance to participate in emerging, cutting-edge Air Force missions. Like other Reserve or Guard members, IMAs can volunteer for manday tours or deployments. Base IMA program management staffs can provide more information about local manday opportunities. Active duty functional managers and IMA program management staff can provide information on deployment options. "Travel is a great side benefit," said Maj. Chuck Pittman, RMG director of personnel. "Imagine living in Michigan, but doing your annual tour and IDTs at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, in the dead of winter. This is an unprecedented opportunity. People are jazzed about it. We have openings all over the world and in the new Global Strike, Cyber, and Africa Commands." Another benefit is the potential to get paid for travel as well as annual duty. "Inactive duty training travel can be funded," added Major Pittman. "We want to get the word out about that, since many members are used to IDT travel being at the member's expense." "The IMA opportunity just can't be beat," said Colonel Zbyszinski. "Members of the PIRR have the chance to come back to the program and get paid for their annual duty. Guard or Traditional Reserve members who need more flexibility in location, duty dates, or types of missions, will find what they're looking for in the IMA program." Anyone interested in learning more about the IMA program should contact their local Base IMA Administrator or Reserve recruiter.