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Reinforcement Training Units (RTU)

The Reinforcement Training Units (RTU) Program's primary function is to train non-unit Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) and Individual Mobilization Augmentee (IMA) soldiers. The RTU Program is governed under the provisions of AR 140-1 Personnel attached to RTUs take part in voluntary non-pay training. RTUs are found throughout the Continental United States (CONUS), as well as numerous overseas locations.

RTUs must maintain 10 personnel to exist. Exceptions are Military Intelligence (MI) and Security, Chaplain, Judge Advocate General Corps (JAGC), Civil Defense and Medical Training units that need a minimum of five personnel. RTUs may be a group of either IRR or IMA soldiers who drill on a "points only" basis. When officially organized, RTUs will be under the command and control of an Army Reserve general officer command.

RTUs organized as major HQ type units will be used for command, control and training supervision of appropriate subordinate RTUs as much as possible. RTUs may be organized to train under a program prescribed for a Table of Organization and Equipment (TOE) or Tables of Distribution and Allowance (TDA) unit. Headquarters Department of the Army (HQDA) does not issue authorization documents for RTUs. RTUs may reorganize to perform functional type training (such as marksmanship, logistics, personnel, medical, liaison services, recruiting, civil defense planning and military support of local government).

The RTU functions must not impede the individual mobilization of its soldiers as reinforcements during an emergency. RTUs vary in composition. Most have multiple Military Occupational Specialties (MOS) for enlisted personnel and Areas of Concentration (AOC) for officers representing broad functional areas.

RTUs are organized to provide some very beneficial features for members of the IRR or IMA who choose to participate and who are self-directed.

Because AR-PERSCOM manages IRR and IMA soldiers, RTU members can easily transition back into a TPU upon request and with a known vacancy in mind. This transition is made much easier because the soldiers continued to maintain their Reserve affiliation and qualification through a valid RTU assignment. Whether this reaffiliation with a TPU takes one month or more than a year, the Army Reserve maintains a qualified and trained soldier. For contact information, visit the Contact area of our site.

RTUs provide training opportunities for IRR/IMA soldiers to earn retirement points to achieve creditable years of service towards retirement at age 60. With a 50-point minimum needed to earn a creditable year, RTU soldiers can augment their yearly retirement point totals by performing non-paid drills or RSTs. With 15 points awarded to all Army Reserve soldiers for membership, a combination of additional active duty days for training and non-paid drills may allow RTU soldiers to achieve their 50-point minimum (90-point maximum) for a creditable year of service toward retirement. For more information on earning retirement points, visit the Retirement area of our site.

Army Reserve soldiers occasionally experience job conflicts, relocations or personal hardship. Rather than leave the Army Reserve, or the military all together, participation in an RTU may become a viable option for soldiers. Soldiers can transfer from a Troop Program Unit (TPU) into the IRR Control Group or an IMA position and continue to satisfactorily participate with an established RTU.

Participating with RTUs presents numerous opportunities for soldiers to continue their personal and professional training in addition to sustaining their MOs proficiency. Numerous RTU soldiers attend non-paid drills, prepare or present classroom instruction, support other local Reserve unit efforts or assist in the completion of special projects.

By maintaining their Reserve affiliation as an active IRR or IMA soldier, RTU soldiers are in an excellent position to request or pursue active duty for training (AT, ADT, ADSW) opportunities. Included in these opportunities are backfills for AT, special tours, annual CONUS and OCONUS mobilization exercises and other situations that may arise. For available opportunities, refer to Tours/Training.