IMA DIMA Agency Coordinator Questions and Answers

Question:  What regulation governs the IMA Program?

Answer:  AR 140-145

Question:  Where can I find more information about frequent procedures and issues within the IMA Program?

Answer:  More information about frequent procedures and issuse within the IMA Program may be found in the Drilling Individual Mobilization Augmentee (DIMA) / Army Reserve Element (ARE) Handbook.

Question:  Where do I send the DA 4651-R for a Soldier we wish to transfer?

Answer:  A DA 4651-R for an officer goes to hrc.opmd.aro@conus.army.mil.  A DA 4651-R for an enlisted Soldier goes to hrc.epmd.arepbranch@conus.army.mil.  Ensure that the DA 4651-R is filled out correctly.  Click here for an example of the completed form.

Question:  Where can I find forms commonly used in the IMA program?

Answer:  Click here for commonly used forms and examples.

Question:  I am a new IMA agency coordinator, what should I know?

Answer:  Click here for new agency coordinator information.

Question:  Where do I submit DA 1380’s?

Answer:  All pay is to be submitted within 72 hours of completion.  Submit the completed DA 1380 to:  usarmy.knox.hrc.mbx.g8-reserve-pay@mail.mil.  Click here for an example of the completed form.

Question:  How do I get a Soldier paid for completion of AT or ADT orders?

Answer:  Complete the Certificate of Performance, AHRC Form 3924, email it with a copy of your orders to usarmy.knox.hrc.mbx.g8-reserve-pay@mail.mil.  Click here for an example of the completed form.

Question:  How does a Soldier submit a travel voucher?

Answer:  As a result of a high number of errors, DFAS has created a SmartVoucher application.  This only includes vouchers that are not processed in the Defense Travel System (DTS).  SmartVoucher takes Soldiers step-by-step through a series of questions that, in the end, completes the DD Form 1351-2 travel voucher. The SmartVoucher makes sure that all required blocks on the voucher are filled in accurately to increase the likelihood of full reimbursement. Soldiers will need their myPay username and password to login.  To go directly to the tutorial click here.

While SmartVoucher cannot ensure completed vouchers are signed or that a Soldier's travel package has all the necessary documents included, based on the Soldier's responses to the questions within the application, SmartVoucher will provide a list of required documents to include with the submission of the travel packet.

Once Soldiers have printed their DD Form 1351-2 via the SmartVoucher, they are provided with submission instructions to include obtaining required signatures, and attaching their orders, order amendments and other required documents. Local finance offices are a good place to start in collecting these documents or to get answers to travel questions.   

Question:  I don’t have AORS access, what do I need to do?

Answer:  Go to the AORS Information page and fill out the PERnet System Access Registration and Acceptable Use Policy and submit to usarmy.knox.hrc.mbx.hurs-pernet@mail.mil

Question:  What awards do IMA Soldier qualify for, and how do I obtain them?

Answer:  The IMA Awards Information Paper, dated 3 March 2012, outlines the awards you may receive and how to obtain them.  Some awards require the completion of a IMA Awards Request form.

Question:  Can a Soldier do AT without a current PHA?

Answer:  Yes, but a PHA should be completed while on AT.  It may also be completed during a maximum of 2 IDT periods per FY.

Question:  Can a Soldier do an APFT in an IDT status?

Answer:  No.  The IMA IDT policy explains more about what can and cannot be done in an IDT status.

Question:  What do I need to transfer a Soldier to the Retired Reserves?

Answer:  To obtain the transfer order, submit the paperwork to:

US Army Human Resources Command

                        ATTN:  AHRC-PDR-RCR

                        1600 SPEARHEAD DIVISION AVE DEPT 420

                        FORT KNOX, KY 40122-5402

You may also call 1-888-276-9472 or go to https://www.hrc.army.mil/site/Reserve/soldierservices/retirement/info-packet.htm

Question:  How do I find an IMA Vacancy?

Answer:  All IMA vacancies are listed on the U.S. Army Human Resources Website.  Click on ACCESS IMA/ARE Vacancy Search Application via My Record Portal.  Sign in and you will see Reserve Record, Tools and Virtual Screening Portal.  Click on Tools, then “Vacancy Search”. You will enter search criteria for the vacancy of interest.

Vacancy Type:  ARE, IMA, TPU Warrant Officer

State/Region:

Pay Grade:

MOS/AOC:

Question:  What is the difference between an IMA, DIMA, and ARE?

Answer:  Though the overall program is called the IMA, there are three types of IMA’s.  An IMA is augmented to an active duty unit but may not perform periods of IDT for pay.  Only general officers are considered IMA.   All other Soldiers are considered a Drilling Individual Mobilization Augmentee ( DIMA) or Army Reserve Element (ARE) and both are authorized to perform 12 days of CONUS annual training (AT) or 19 days OCONUS AT, additionally, a DIMA/ARE are allowed up to 48, four hour periods of individual duty for training (IDT) for pay. The only distinction between the two are DIMA are assigned to an active component MOBTDA and ARE Soldier are assigned to a reserve unit. Another distinguishing factor is the DIMA Soldier’s promotion board is held by the Human Resource Command (HRC), Ft Knox, and the ARE Soldiers promotion board is held by the Regional Support Command (RSC) of the ARE Soldiers higher command.  

Question:  Are all IMA/DIMA/ARE Soldiers part of the selected reserves (SELRES)?

Answer:  General officers are IMA.  All other Soldiers are DIMA or ARE, and are considered part of the select reserve.  There are benefits to being in the select reserve; Tri-Care Select Health Insurance and tuition assistance for example.

Question:  Do IMA Soldiers qualify for tuition assistance?

Answer:  If the Soldier is a DIMA or ARE Soldier, they are part of the SELREST and are eligible for tuition assistance.

Question:  Do IMA Soldiers qualify for Tri-Care Reserve Select health insurance, and other benefits that a TPU qualifies for?

Answer:  If the Soldier is a DIMA or ARE Soldier, they are part of the SELRES and are eligible for Tri-Care Reserve Select.

Question:  Who publishes AT orders for IMA Soldiers?

Answer:  Using the Automated Orders Resource System (AORs) the IMA Agency Coordinator initiates the request for orders and then it is published by HRC.  If the IMA Agency Coordinator does not have AORS access they submit a DA Form 2446 (.pdf) (.xfdl) Request For Orders and the order is initiated and published by HRC.  Click here for an example DA Form 2446.

Question:  What circumstances generate a requirement for a request for exception to policy?

Answer:  An exception to policy is submitted to the DIMA Program Management Team in the event that a Soldier needs to perform AT that is outside of what is usually considered normal.  Examples of this include but are not limited to:

• Alternate AT locations
• AT periods that are longer than 12 days for CONUS-CONUS or OCONUS-OCONUS
• AT periods that are longer than 19 days for CONUS-OCONUS/OCONUS-CONUS
• Short suspense - requesting an order within 30 days of the order start date, ref. AR 140-145 para 4-5b.
• Fragmented Annual Training Periods

An exception to policy is also required to complete a position grade or MOS/AOC mismatch, or double slot.

Question:  How does an IMA Soldier complete a Periodic Health Assessment (PHA)?

Answer:  All IMA Soldiers require a current Periodic Health Assessment (PHA) every 12 months and NLT 15 months.  IMA Soldiers who do not have a PHA within two years may not be authorized annual training.

• Log into AKO.
• Under the "Self Service" tab click "My Medical"
• Click on the link entitled: "My Medical Readiness"
• Click on PHA and complete the PHA questionnaire
• Call Logistics Health, Inc/Reserve Health Readiness Program, (LHI/RHRP) at (800) 666-2833 and notify them the questionnaire is completed and submitted, then request that a PHA be scheduled.
• If the Soldier does NOT have access to AKO, he/she should contact LHI/RHRP at (800) 666-2833.  LHI/RHRP will mail packet to Soldier.  Soldier will complete packet and return promptly to LHI.  When LHI receives the completed packet, they will make contact (maximum of three attempts) with Soldier to schedule PHA.
• If the IMA Soldier is outside a 50 mile radius, PRIOR to having the Soldier report for the PHA appointment, the Personnel Actions Branch (PAB) of Human Resources Command (HRC)  must complete a DD Form 1610 to enable the Soldier to be paid.  Contact HRC Customer Service at: (888) ARMYHRC (888-276-9478), and ask for the PAB that is responsible for the MOS.  The PAB will forward the completed DD 1610 for final approval and processing to HRC, G8, (502) 613-4402, email:  usarmy.knox.hrc.mbx.g8-1610-physicals@mail.mil.  
• If the IMA Soldier is within a 50 mile radius for a PHA appointment, they may be authorized Individual Duty for Training (IDT) pay.  Compensation will be limited to two periods of IDT annually. 
• Complete a DA Form 1380 for IDT and forward to the Reserve Pay Section, at the email: usarmy.knox.hrc.mbx.g8-reserve-pay@mail.mil. Commercial (502) 613-4405, DSN 983-4405. 
• Soldiers who live outside CONUS can call the HRC Surgeons Office direct for special instructions on how to obtain their PHA.  The HRC Surgeon’s Office number is Toll Free: (800) 433-0521, DSN:  983-9030 or commercial: (502) 613-9030.

Question:  How does an IMA Soldier schedule and obtain funding for Professional Development and Education (PDE)?

Answer:  Normally, all mandatory PDE training required by Soldiers to achieve promotion eligibility will be provided for and funded by HRC, or by OCAR, GOMO for IMA general officers. Every effort will be made to provide Soldiers with the opportunity to perform not only their required 12 days of AT with their proponent agency each FY, but also provide them with an opportunity to attend those PDE courses they specifically need in order to meet the mandatory education requirements for promotion.  Should program funding shortfalls prohibit the funding of both AT and mandatory PDE in the same FY, proponent agencies should allow their assigned Soldiers to complete PDE in lieu of their AT.  Direct coordination between the Soldier, the proponent agency, and HRC, on all matters pertaining to mandatory training, PDE, and promotion eligibility requirements is authorized and encouraged.