Description of IA

 In contrast to a Sailor that deploys with a ship, squadron or unit, a Sailor who leaves their assigned unit or command to deploy individually or with a small group is known as an Individual Augmentee (IA). Half of the deployed IAs are active duty and half are reservists. Most IAs are concentrated in the 20-nation U.S. Central Command region, which includes Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, and Bahrain. Many are also serving in the 53-nation U.S. Africa Command, particularly in the Horn of Africa area. The rest are serving elsewhere in the world.

The IA program is going through a revolution. We have started calling them (GSA) Global war on terror Support Assignments, and are becoming part of the detailing process instead of pulling you from a job already required by the fleet. The Navy has discovered that there is more success with these assignments when we take volunteers instead of volun-telling people to play Army in the sandbox. Some of these billets are also taken by reservists looking for an opportunity to earn extra pay, and more experience than they recieve from the reserve program.

Some of these assignments are not much different from a standard deployment; the exception being the length of time you are gone. Not all of these assignments are riding with the Army or Marines; some are infrastructure support billets: administrative assistant, MP on a base or in a prison, computer networking administrator, and so on.
There are many benefits to these assignments for one they are eligible for joint service awards. The Navy has also talked about giving points toward advancement results, as well as your choice of orders after your IA tour.