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Home Logo: Innovative Readiness Training
Innovative Readiness Training Benefiting DOD & American Communities
Innovative Readiness Training
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MILITARY PARTNERSHIP
Military Training that Provides Key Services to American Communities

 
Overview
Overview
Understand what IRT is and how you can become a part of this program for military and communities.
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Authorizations
Authorizations
IRT was authorized in a Department of Defense response to "Rebuild America" initiative.
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case study
Case Study
Learn how Service Members constructed a recreation area for children and adults with disabilities.
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FAQs
FAQs
Find answers to your IRT questions and understand how to start the application process.
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Unparalleled Military Training
Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) is a Department of Defense (DoD) military training opportunity, exclusive to the United States and its territories, that delivers joint training opportunities to increase deployment readiness. Simultaneously, IRT provides key services (health care, construction, transportation, and cybersecurity) with lasting benefits for our American communities.
Strength Starts at Home Video
Watch IRT in action in this short two minute video.


Motion Design Award Winner
IRT Director: Col. Jaclyn Chatwick
Design Director: Capt. Kelly Machado (IRT Public Affairs Officer)
Production Design: Lisa Watts and Kalen Bauman (LMI)
Video Producer: West Eldredge (LMI)
Digital Designer: Jeff Dickshinski (LMI)

Learn more about this distinction in government and industry.
Training Benefits
  • Hands-on training
  • Refining mission-essential skills in complex environments
  • REAL vs. simulated tasks typically conducted on ordinary exercises and training events
  • Leadership opportunities for Junior Officers and Enlisted personnel within a Joint Environment
  • Esprit de corps
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Military Training Opportunities
Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) is a Department of Defense (DoD) military training opportunity, exclusive to the United States and its territories, that delivers joint training opportunities to increase deployment readiness. Simultaneously, IRT provides key services (health care, construction, transportation, and cybersecurity) with lasting benefits for our American.

Click here to begin a new IRT mission application or continue an existing application.
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Learn more
IRT Brochure

Download the IRT brochure »
Military How-to-Guide

View Military How-to-Guide »
IRT Press Kit

Download the IRT Press Kit »
MilitaryTraining Value

Learn more about the military training value of IRT »
Increased Readiness
Of participating Service Members —
  • 90% reported having gained job satisfaction after being part of an IRT mission.
  • 82% reported experiencing training that mimicked deployment conditions.
  • 81% reported feeling that they had training that they would have not otherwise had access to.
  • 79% reported feeling better prepared for deployment after participating in an IRT mission.
  • 85% reported having worked with other service components in a Joint Environment.
  • 88% reported having trained in leadership skills that they otherwise would not have been able to under typical unit training events.
Authorized by U.S. Code
IRT was authorized under Title 10 U.S. Code §2012 in a DoD response to the 1992 “Rebuild America” Initiative. The law grant authority for the DoD to provide services and support for eligible non-DoD organizations and activities. It includes subsections on the scope of covered activities, requirement for specific requests, relationship to military training, eligible entities, regulations, treatment of military participation in provision of support or services, and oversight and cost accounting.
 
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Case Study
IRT Maui TropiCare Mission 

PROJECT LOCATION
Six locations across the Hawaiian islands of Maui, Moloka’i, and Lana’i 

TIMELINE
August 2018

DESCRIPTION
Joint Service personnel partnered with the Maui County Mayor’s Office to provide medical, dental, and optometry care to communities across six sites of care. Service Members administered care to 5,651 patients; which included 1,472 medical procedures, 6,188 dental procedures, and fabrication of 2,829 pairs of eyeglasses.

The mission started with Hurricane Hector and ended with Hurricane Lane, delaying the 350+ mission participants’ arrival to the islands and forcing them to depart ahead of time. Emergency response logistics and operations added unexpected training value. These real threats enhanced the training beyond planned conditions while supplying the scheduled healthcare to the community.

MISSION GOALS
1. To provide real-world training platform for all participants.

2. To encourage cross-training, leadership development, and innovation.

3. To promote civil-military partnerships.

4. To provide lasting medical benefits to the community.
 

Participating Service Components
 
                   

                   
Spotlight
 
MSG Janice C. Johnson
Army Reserve Command
Noncommissioned Officer-In-Charge of the IRT Medical Consumables Site, 2013–2021
IRT Class VIII Medical Logistics Project Manager, 2013–2021
“Although I am often speechless when reflecting on the IRT program, I am never thoughtless. I am immensely grateful for the opportunities it has afforded me from 2013 to present. This program has made me a better strategist, planner, advisor, coach, and mentor. This is the most profoundly rewarding assignment in my 32-year career, parallel only to my theater contributions made during deployments.”

CPT Jason Brooks
Army National Guard
Operation: Empower Health, 2018—Site Officer-In-Charge
Ola de Esperanza Sanadora, 2019—JOC/C2 Officer-In-Charge
Central Delaware Partnership for Hope, 2021—Mission Officer-In-Charge
“Few experiences are as rewarding as the IRT program. The opportunity to participate in a live, joint-services environment—where the end result benefits the communities we serve—is an invaluable training model that also supports recruiting and retention efforts. These challenges, lessons learned, and impressions simply cannot be replicated by any other program.”

SSgt Matthew Hawkins
Marine Corps Reserve
Camp Hinds, 2016—Rotation Senior Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge
New Horizons, 2018—Duration Senior Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge
Camp Kamassa, 2020—Rotation Senior Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge
Camp Kamassa, 2021—Duration Structures Senior Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge 6th Engineer Support Battalion
“I first got involved with Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) missions at Camp Hinds in 2016 supporting the construction of a Boy Scout Camp in Maine. I have since tried to seize the opportunity to be a part of every IRT mission that is presented to the Marine Corps. I believe that the IRT program is an invaluable asset and tool to build relations and provide resources to the community while providing valuable training with a purpose to the Marines.
(SSgt Matthew Hawkins, left, takes the Oath of Enlistment by 1st Lt Rob Tebben, right, with 6th Engineer Support Battalion onlooking. Location: near Meteti, Panama)

CUCS(SCW) Amber Sigler
Navy Reserve
Operation Footprint, 2019—Officer-In-Charge, Project Supervisor
Operation Footprint, 2020—Officer-In-Charge, Project Supervisor, COVID-19 Safety/Medical Team
Operation Footprint, 2021—CHARLIE Company Chief
“Innovative Readiness Training programs hold a special place in my heart. As a civilian nurse and a Seabee in the Navy Reserve, I sincerely appreciate the amazing opportunities these training efforts afford to military Service Members. I have witnessed firsthand the significant impact of IRT training on local communities. It’s not just the home being built—it’s the relationships and sense of heritage gained through the work with dedicated community partners.”
(Naval Mobile Construction Battalion Eighteen FY19 Operation Footprint IRT: CE1 Michael Arocha, EO1 Todd Stevenson (Horizontal Crewleader), CMC Jeffrey Gilbertson, BUC Shane Hutzenbiler (Duration staff), ENS Samuel Sherman, BU1 Cassandra Begay (Project Safety Petty Officer), SWC Josh Dunbar, CE1 Gilbert Rivera (Duration staff), EO1 Albert Blas, CUCS Amber Sigler (OIC).)

Lt Col DeAnna Pennings
Air National Guard
Operation Bobcat, 2018—Breathitt County Site-of-Care Administrative Officer-In-Charge
Ola de Esperanza Sanadora, 2019—IRT Mission Officer-In-Charge
“IRT projects have been the most rewarding opportunities of my military career! Lives have been significantly impacted as local citizens are provided no-cost medical care that they otherwise may not receive. It is a humbling and rewarding experience. IRT provides hands-on, relative experience to military members and a great opportunity to learn from fellow military service branches in a joint, supportive environment.”
(People in photo along with LtCol Pennings: Master Chief Luis Bravo, Navy Reserves EMF Camp Pendleton, Position: Navy Liaison; Senior Chief Ryan Sieger, Navy Reserves EMF Camp Pendleton, Position: Senior Enlisted Leader)

TSgt Michael Hong
Air Force Reserve Command
Coal Country Health Care, 2019—Mission Public Affairs Officer
Camp Paumalu, 2019—Public Affairs Liaison
Annual Joint Workshop for Operational Mission Planners, 2019—Public Affairs Liaison
Virtual Joint Workshop for Operational Mission Planners, 2020—Public Affairs Liaison
“IRT has given me the opportunity to work in a unique joint operations environment. It has been a privilege to witness military training that makes a meaningful impact on the well-being of American communities. I am honored to have played a part in celebrating the people who served our communities through this collaborative endeavor.”
IRT Mission Locations
An IRT Mission Begins with an Application
All IRT missions start with a Community Application. Once a community applies, military unit representatives can review the applications to identify a match to their training requirements.

If you are interested in determining whether an IRT mission can deliver training to your unit, Contact Us or Apply Now to begin the application process. You may also contact IRT directly at: email: osd.irt@mail.mil | Phone: 703-695-7060
IRT Restrictions
  • Must take place within the U.S. and its territories
  • Must accomplish mission-essential training
  • Must result in 100 hours of training or more
  • Must not compete with the private sector, non-competition clause
  • Must not include commercial development (CE missions only)
  • Military members cannot provide law enforcement during IRT missions
  • IRT authorities cannot be used to respond to natural or man-made disasters
IRT Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of an IRT mission for my unit?
What types of missions does IRT have available for my unit?
How do I create an IRT account?
How do I find community missions to apply for?
How do I create a new application?
How long after community and military applications are submitted, does the mission start?
What happens once my unit application matches with a community?
What happens at the Initial Planning Meeting (IPM) and what/who do I need to prepare/bring?
When do missions occur?
My unit participated in an IRT mission before, can we participate again?
A community reached out to me about IRT, what are our options?
What do I do if I’m having issues with my application?
Learn More
 
Service Components Billets
Interested in learning more about roles and responsibilities of each military department? Select the appropriate link to the right to explore rewarding opportunities that contribute to IRT’s mission to provide mission-ready forces through military training that delivers key services to American communities.
 

Army Active Duty

Army Reserve Command

Army National Guard

Marine Corps Active Duty

Marine Corps Reserve

 

Navy Active Duty

Navy Reserve

Air Force Active Duty

Air National Guard

Air Force Reserve Command

Click here to begin a new IRT mission application or continue an existing application.
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