---
kind: "section"
citation: "10 U.S.C. § 20102"
title: "10"
title_heading: "Armed Forces"
number: "20102"
heading: "Individual ready guardians: designation; mobilization category"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/10/20102"
units:
  - "Subtitle F — Alternative Military Personnel Systems"
  - "Part I — Space Force"
  - "Chapter 2003 — Status and Participation"
---

# §20102. Individual ready guardians: designation; mobilization category

- (a) **In General.—** Under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of the Air Force may designate a member of the Space Force in a [space force active status](/usc/10/101.md?p=e-1) as an Individual Ready Guardian.
- (b) **Mobilization Category.—**
  - (1) **In general.—** Among members of the Space Force designated as Individual Ready Guardians, there is a category of members (referred to as a “mobilization category”) who, as designated by the Secretary of the Air Force, are subject to being ordered to [active duty](/usc/10/101.md?p=d-1) without their consent in accordance with [section 20106(a) of this title](/usc/10/20106.md?p=a).
  - (2) **Limitations on placement in mobilization category.—** A member designated as an Individual Ready Guardian may not be placed in the mobilization category referred to in [paragraph (1)](#b-1) unless—
    - (A) the member volunteers to be placed in that mobilization category; and
    - (B) the member is selected by the Secretary of the Air Force, based upon the needs of the Space Force and the [grade](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-7) and military skills of that member.
  - (3) **Limitation on time in mobilization category.—** A member of the Space Force in a [space force active status](/usc/10/101.md?p=e-1) may not remain designated an Individual Ready Guardian in such mobilization category after the end of the 24-month period beginning on the date of the separation of the member from [active service](/usc/10/101.md?p=d-3).
  - (4) **Designation of grades and military skills or specialties.—** The Secretary of the Air Force shall designate the [grades](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-7) and military skills or specialties of members to be eligible for placement in such mobilization category.
  - (5) **Benefits.—** A member in such mobilization category shall be eligible for benefits (other than [pay](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-15) and training) on the same basis as are available to members of the Individual Ready [Reserve](/usc/10/101.md?p=c-6) who are in the special mobilization category under [section 10144(b) of this title](/usc/10/10144.md?p=b), as determined by the Secretary of Defense.

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 118–31, div. A, title XVII, § 1715, Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 627.)