800,000 reservists called to serve
Over 800,000 reservists have been called up to serve in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan since 9/11, 2001. Most of them have been mobilized by involuntary call-ups since there have not been enough volunteers to meet the Pentagon's need for troops.
In June 2011, there were over 7, 000 involuntary call-ups and only 23,000 voluntary call-ups to serve in the wars. Reservists cannot refuse if they receive the order to serve.
Coalition for Iraq & Afghanistan Veterans, an umbrella body of organizations supporting veterans, has questioned the treatment of reservists. According to the organization, reservists don't get enough time to deal with the hard transition first to the military and later from the military back to civilian life. Many reservists also have difficulties with benefits, because of lack of information or bureaucracy. The organization has also noted that reservists lack a supporting peer group, because they are mobilized from civilian communities. Communities do not know about the pressures during deployment so veterans feel unable to share their experiences.
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