General Discussion

From what I know, as a retired AF SNCO, is the military will first ask for people to reenlist for up to two years. IF they don't get enough people to reenlist then they can go to the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR). From when I was active duty, when you enlisted you volunteered to commit to at least eight years. If you serve only one enlistment, when you leave the service you go into the IRR until your military obligation is completed. If you voluntarily or are involuntarily recalled you return with the rank you retired or were at when you separated, and the pay, housing/subsistence, and medical benefits, the extra time served is applied to your retirement pay, etc.. The drawback is you aren't eligible for promotion.

Most likely all he has to do is return the letter saying No.

I retired after 28 years and I served two years in the IRR to meet the 30 year commitment they said I had. No problem in that I never heard anything from the AF concerning whether they needed me again.

During the first Gulf War, I knew a Master Sergeant who retired just before Iraq invaded Kuwait. He was a medic and during his career he tried but never got to cross-train to become an independent duty medical technician which would make him the primary caregiver to a small unit or detachment. Once the Gulf War revved up the AF contacted him and asked him to return to active duty. He asked if they would make him an independent duty medical technician and they said no so he said no and stayed retired.