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Recall! Return of the IRR
There hadn't been a full-scale recall of the Individual Ready Reserves since the Korean War. In January of 1991, with the fall of the Berlin Wall and the collapse of the Soviet Union, many people believed it would take World War III to trigger a recall of the IRR. Many people were wrong. They came from cities and farms and towns in every corner of the country. With only a few days' notice, they quit their jobs, dropped out of college, kissed their girlfriends or wives, and got on planes to Atlanta, Georgia with nothing but the clothes on their backs. They had long hair, beards, and bad attitudes. They descended by the thousands on Fort Benning, Georgia, and they were not happy about it at all. In this entertaining, true story, the author relates his own experiences as one of twenty-thousand IRR recalls who were ordered back to active duty in support of Operation Desert Storm. In a story reminiscent of "The Dirty Dozen" times ten thousand, the author takes you through the entire experience from beginning to end. He carries you along for the ride and explains exactly what it was like to be a recall. With the many IRR recalls over the last ten years of warfare, this first hand account could shed some light on how the current era of recalls began. (29,000 words +/-)
158 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 11, 2011
6 people want to read
About the author
Doug DePew
6 books31 followersThe author was an Infantryman in the Army and a Master at Arms/Storekeeper in the Navy. He has a BSEd in history from Southwest Missouri State University and has taught high school, been a correctional officer, taught juvenile delinquents for the state, and it now a teacher in a federal prison.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 18, 2013
Answer the call!
This is the second book I've read by Doug Depew. This one isn't as exciting or tense as the first, but it still has a place for historians.
The time is 1990. The place Florida. The war-Desert Storm.
Mr. Depew has finished his four year term—two years in Germany and two years in Colorado.
After his honorable discharge, he embarks on his dream job in the music industry. He is less then a month from graduation and obtaining an internship when his father calls and tells him he has a mailgram from Uncle Sam saying, "We Need You." He, like tens of thousands of others have been called up to finish up the initial contracts they signed with the military to defend "our" country.
As you can imagine, lives for thousands of men and women were turned upside down with the notice. Yet instead of fleeing or trying to find an out, they begrudgingly accepted the orders and reported for duty. How many of us have complained about our daily jobs and lives when everything we plan doesn't go exactly as anticipated and raise holy hell over being inconvenienced? One would think the world came to an end. It was only a small pothole in our journey. Those who were recalled ran straight into a mountain!
His unit was whipped into shape in Georgia then shipped to Germany for potential deployment to Iraq. in the end, the war ended so quickly, the unit was quickly disbanded and sent home. Now comes the real challenge. Will he return to finish his education or has his life been dramatically changed in nine short months? You'll have to read the book for the answer.
I fear many casual readers will not find this a compelling work. If that is true, then they missed the message the book is sending. Adversity is what we make of it and how he overcome it. I salute the men and women (like Mr. DePew) whose lives were uprooted to defend our great nation. We, the American people, SALUTE YOU!
A find job Mr. DePew.
This is the second book I've read by Doug Depew. This one isn't as exciting or tense as the first, but it still has a place for historians.
The time is 1990. The place Florida. The war-Desert Storm.
Mr. Depew has finished his four year term—two years in Germany and two years in Colorado.
After his honorable discharge, he embarks on his dream job in the music industry. He is less then a month from graduation and obtaining an internship when his father calls and tells him he has a mailgram from Uncle Sam saying, "We Need You." He, like tens of thousands of others have been called up to finish up the initial contracts they signed with the military to defend "our" country.
As you can imagine, lives for thousands of men and women were turned upside down with the notice. Yet instead of fleeing or trying to find an out, they begrudgingly accepted the orders and reported for duty. How many of us have complained about our daily jobs and lives when everything we plan doesn't go exactly as anticipated and raise holy hell over being inconvenienced? One would think the world came to an end. It was only a small pothole in our journey. Those who were recalled ran straight into a mountain!
His unit was whipped into shape in Georgia then shipped to Germany for potential deployment to Iraq. in the end, the war ended so quickly, the unit was quickly disbanded and sent home. Now comes the real challenge. Will he return to finish his education or has his life been dramatically changed in nine short months? You'll have to read the book for the answer.
I fear many casual readers will not find this a compelling work. If that is true, then they missed the message the book is sending. Adversity is what we make of it and how he overcome it. I salute the men and women (like Mr. DePew) whose lives were uprooted to defend our great nation. We, the American people, SALUTE YOU!
A find job Mr. DePew.
August 21, 2012
This book took me back in time. During Operation Desert Shield/Storm, I was the deputy public affairs officer for a military medical center. During those conflicts, author Doug DePew was recalled to active duty as potential backfill for casualties (some of whom came through the medical center where I worked).
DePew outlines his plans to become a recording engineer -- plans he was well on his way to accomplishing -- that were interrupted by his recall. He then shows his readers exactly what it's like to be brought back on active duty during a confusing time (no orders beyond what got the soldiers back on-base, no schedules ... but plenty of time for physical training).
DePew does a great job of explaining both the psychological and physiological effects of recall, and brings readers right into the barracks with him. His fellow servicemen become like buddies for us as we get to know their stories and see their hopes and fears.
Well-done and highly recommended for those who enjoy military memoirs.
DePew outlines his plans to become a recording engineer -- plans he was well on his way to accomplishing -- that were interrupted by his recall. He then shows his readers exactly what it's like to be brought back on active duty during a confusing time (no orders beyond what got the soldiers back on-base, no schedules ... but plenty of time for physical training).
DePew does a great job of explaining both the psychological and physiological effects of recall, and brings readers right into the barracks with him. His fellow servicemen become like buddies for us as we get to know their stories and see their hopes and fears.
Well-done and highly recommended for those who enjoy military memoirs.
January 16, 2013
Recall! Return of the IRR is a well-written account of a very unique military experience. Author Doug DePew describes being ordered back to active duty in support of Operation Desert Storm in vivid detail.
I estimate that I've written over 1000 resumes for military personnel looking to transition into civilian jobs. Each one involved spending about an hour talking about various aspects of military life with each soldier. I thought I had a strong handle on the military experience until I read this book. DePew does an excellent job of capturing numerous facets of military life that never make it to the silver screen or the dinner tables of America.
The story is communicated in a manner that is easily understood by civilians. While acronyms are endemic to the language of the military, DePew steers us through this potential hazard like an experienced tour guide driving through a dense forest. Strong editing helped tremendously in this regard. If you're looking for a military memoir that delivers from start to finish, don't miss this book.
I estimate that I've written over 1000 resumes for military personnel looking to transition into civilian jobs. Each one involved spending about an hour talking about various aspects of military life with each soldier. I thought I had a strong handle on the military experience until I read this book. DePew does an excellent job of capturing numerous facets of military life that never make it to the silver screen or the dinner tables of America.
The story is communicated in a manner that is easily understood by civilians. While acronyms are endemic to the language of the military, DePew steers us through this potential hazard like an experienced tour guide driving through a dense forest. Strong editing helped tremendously in this regard. If you're looking for a military memoir that delivers from start to finish, don't miss this book.
September 6, 2011
I should say two things up front: First, this book in general is for people who have a military background. Also possibly for family members of people who are/were in the military. Secondly, a mature audience rating is recommended.
As for the book itself, it is autobiographical. It sheds light on the author and his background. I never read Doug DePew's first book, SAT & BAF! Memories of a Tower Rat, but I feel sure that I will at some point in the near future.
Personally, I thoroughly enjoyed Recall! Return of the IRR. I could plainly visualize the events as they were unfolding. I'm former U.S. Air Force so it wasn't difficult to do. In addition, I was a dependent spouse to an U.S. Army Reservists who participated in Operation Desert Storm. So the book took on a more personal feel as it progressed. There are humorous parts of the book as well, I was reminded of the movie Stripes in some parts but you'll have to read the book to understand why.
As for the book itself, it is autobiographical. It sheds light on the author and his background. I never read Doug DePew's first book, SAT & BAF! Memories of a Tower Rat, but I feel sure that I will at some point in the near future.
Personally, I thoroughly enjoyed Recall! Return of the IRR. I could plainly visualize the events as they were unfolding. I'm former U.S. Air Force so it wasn't difficult to do. In addition, I was a dependent spouse to an U.S. Army Reservists who participated in Operation Desert Storm. So the book took on a more personal feel as it progressed. There are humorous parts of the book as well, I was reminded of the movie Stripes in some parts but you'll have to read the book to understand why.
May 29, 2012
This book is a fascinating glimpse into the life of an ex-military man who is recalled to service when war once again threatens to erupt. We see the total disruption to the life he'd been building. Then we travel with him to his new military base and feel the instant camaraderie between these men who'd been pulled back from their civilian lives.
I've never been in the military. My husband is ex-Army, though we got married after he'd been out for several years. I don't have much background in military jargon, but I didn't find that a problem with this book. DePew clarifies his terminology so that anyone can understand.
This is an interesting read for those with military background, or for anyone who'd like to understand what it's like for these men and women who put their lives on the line for us each and every day.
I've never been in the military. My husband is ex-Army, though we got married after he'd been out for several years. I don't have much background in military jargon, but I didn't find that a problem with this book. DePew clarifies his terminology so that anyone can understand.
This is an interesting read for those with military background, or for anyone who'd like to understand what it's like for these men and women who put their lives on the line for us each and every day.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews