Community

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP

Military Training that Provides Key Services to American Communities

Overview

Understand what IRT is and how you can become a part of this program for military and communities.

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Authorizations

IRT was authorized in a Department of Defense response to "Rebuild America" initiative.

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Testimonials

Hear how IRT has impacted communities across America while strengthening our military.

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FAQs

Find answers to your IRT questions and understand how to start the application process.

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Military Training that Provides Key Services to American Communities

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.

IRT in Action

Watch how the process of civil-military partnerships take place in this short two minute video.

Building Community-Military Partnerships

Download the IRT brochure »

Download the IRT Press Kit »

Learn more about the benefit of IRT for communities »

24-Month Community Timeline

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

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
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 manmade disasters

Authorized by U.S. Code

Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) was authorized under Title 10 U.S. Code §2012 in a Department of Defense response to the 1992 “Rebuild America” Initiative. The law grants authority the Department of Defense (DoD) to provide services and support for eligible non-Department of Defense 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.

Case Study

Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) Camp Kamassa Mission

PROJECT LOCATION
Crystal Springs, Mississippi

TIMELINE
April 2018 – August 2020 (3-year partnership)

Summer 2018

Cleared 45 acres of land, constructed 50 x 100 maintenance barn, installed storm water pipe and catch basins, established roads and environmental control measures.

Summer 2019

Vertical construction of duplex cabins (8), Site work (clearing, installation of culverts and improvements to roads, preparation of building and water tank pads). Installed a 90’ foot steel bridge to connect to land parcels.

Summer 2020

Vertical construction of family cabins (6), multi-use building, open air recreation building two large ponds and various nature trails.

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 sustainable, lasting construction projects

Participating Service Components

27 Year History of Strong Civil-Military Partnerships

Carol Juett
Special Projects Coordinator
Office of the Commissioner
Kentucky Department for Local Government

“There is a camaraderie and respect among the military, which I love, with the added bonus that all troops involved with the IRT are medical personnel with natural care-taking sensibilities. I found the entire project, from the first outreach from SMSgt Houston to the site visit to the mission, to be a very rewarding experience.”
(Left, SMSgt DeAnte’ Houston, Air Force Reserve, Medical Project Manager.)

Lt Col Alyson B. Eisenhardt
Air Force Reserve
Mission Officer In Charge
East Central Georgia

“For the past two years, the IRT program provided faces to medical, dental, and optometry services to nine rural communities, in many cases, this was the first time that people in these areas have seen a medical professional.”
(Left, Andy Crosson, Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) Regional Commission, Executive Director. Right, Stephanie Quattlebaum CSRA Regional Commission, Director of Economic and Workforce Development.)

Mr. Joel Evans
President and CEO, Delta Area Economic Opportunity
Corporation (DAEOC)

“If it wasn’t for IRT, these patients could have gone undiagnosed and, at some point, the results could have been catastrophic. If those were the only two patients we saw, it would have been worth it but we also provide care for an additional 5,000 other folks.”
(Right, Lt Col Andrew Adamich, Air National Guard IRT Program Manager.)

Mrs. Mary Kitchens
Founder and Executive Director of Mississippi's
Toughest Kids Foundation

“We are so excited to learn about the IRT program because not only did it bring the military in, but it gave us that push to believe that we really could build this facility (Camp Kamassa) in the poorest state of the United States.”

IRT Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits of an IRT mission for my Community?
What types of Missions can my community apply for?
How do I create an IRT Account?
How do I create a new application?
When are community applications due?
Are there any restrictions?
When do missions occur?
My community participated in an IRT mission before, can we participate again?
What happens if my Community Application is not submitted prior to the deadline?
How long do I have to wait for a mission to start once my application is submitted?
What happens once my community application matches with a military unit?
What happens at the IPM and what/who do I need to prepare/bring?
What do I do if I am having issues with my application?

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

Military Training at its Finest

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