Hey military dudes - I got questions on joining the reserves

[Dragnov]

Can someone give me some knowledge on what joining really entails? Yeah, I can talk to a recruiter but the title alone tells you what they really want. I'm looking for a more objective source for now.

Bear with me since I know absolutely nothing of this matter.

I'm 21, and I'm in college at a good university and I will graduate probably sometime next year. I'm not in any financial needs or anything, but I do not have my future living set or anything.

And yes I understand you are their b1tch for x amount of years. I noticed the Navy reserves was 2 years as opposed 3 years for Army. Any shorter ones? (Shorter the better, as I would like to have my options open.) And yes, I understand I may be called up for duty (I hope not.)

So now...

Are there physical requirements? Do you go through training?

I don't quite understand what it means you work for them as a civilian? Do you pick a job? How often are you supposed to work? If I read right you meet once a week?

Whats the normal day like for that once a week? Is that the job or is that something else?

I have more questions but I'll ask as I get answers. I would like to work for the federal government in the future idieally FBI/CIA type of work. I would think this would be good experience no?

 

[TheBoyBlunder]

Well...I've talked to a friend of mine who's in the Army Reserves, and he says
1) He makes about $20,000 a year in benefits, like medical and dental.
2) He says serving in the Guard is an excellent way to get bumped to the top of any federal or local government job list.

Beyond that, I sorta spaced out everything he said because he never shuts up about how I should join the guard. He's a decent guy otherwise.

 

[dartworth]

You can ask my brother in law...

nevermind, he just shipped out to Iraq for a year on Friday

 

[beer]

If you are hoping not to be deployed, then do not join the reserves. At predicting US military intervention in Iraq for several more years, plus Bosnia, South Korean DMZ....there is a better chance than not that you will be deployed. Deployment will completely change your civilian life.

 

[dartworth]

Originally posted by: TheBoyBlunder
Well...I've talked to a friend of mine who's in the Army Reserves, and he says
1) He makes about $20,000 a year in benefits, like medical and dental.
2) He says serving in the Guard is an excellent way to get bumped to the top of any federal or local government job list.

Beyond that, I sorta spaced out everything he said because he never shuts up about how I should join the guard. He's a decent guy otherwise.

I was in the National Guard...


we didn't get any benefits, and you sure as sh1t don't make 20K a year

is he full time or something?

 

[dquan97]

Applied and got accepted into the Air Force Reserves as a Computer Operator, shipping out July 27. I work for the state gov't, so it's not a big deal if I get deployed. Training is a total of 6months for basic and tech school. Any other questions?

 

[Zorba]

Originally posted by: Gr1mL0cK
Can someone give me some knowledge on what joining really entails? Yeah, I can talk to a recruiter but the title alone tells you what they really want. I'm looking for a more objective source for now.

Bear with me since I know absolutely nothing of this matter.

I'm 21, and I'm in college at a good university and I will graduate probably sometime next year. I'm not in any financial needs or anything, but I do not have my future living set or anything.

And yes I understand you are their b1tch for x amount of years. I noticed the Navy reserves was 2 years as opposed 3 years for Army. Any shorter ones? (Shorter the better, as I would like to have my options open.) And yes, I understand I may be called up for duty (I hope not.)

So now...

Are there physical requirements? Do you go through training?

I don't quite understand what it means you work for them as a civilian? Do you pick a job? How often are you supposed to work? If I read right you meet once a week?

Whats the normal day like for that once a week? Is that the job or is that something else?

I have more questions but I'll ask as I get answers. I would like to work for the federal government in the future idieally FBI/CIA type of work. I would think this would be good experience no?

You still go through boot camp, etc. And the training for whatever job you end up getting. You work two weekends a month and two weeks a year. 2 years is a really short time for the reserves, so if you want to do it, I'd jump on that one.

Here are the stories of the people I know in the Reserves:

Cousin Marine Reserve, went throuh 1.5 years of a training, working on C-130 electronics, was sent to Afgan for 6 months and then to Iraq for 9 monthes with about 6 monthes between the two.

Friend's Husband Army Reserve, he is a MP and so far he has gone to Bosina, Afgan and is in Iraq right now for at least another year. Since I have knew my friend her husband has spent more time active than not.

Dad's friend Air National Gaurd, used to go to Iraq for 6 monthes once every two years inorder to protol the No-Fly Zones. I think he also went to Bosina and Kosivo (sp?)

Another friend of mine, Army reserve, got called up last year and had to spend a year at Fort Sill.

There are others, and every single person I know in the reserves has been called up at least once in the last 2 years.

 

[TallBill]

man.. heh, you dont seem like someone i want in my service, so i'll skip on sharing details on why you should join. im currently e-4 in army reserves.. but am DYING to go active duty. i cant stand one weekend a month. i need more.. full time.

btw, it only helps with fbi if you served active duty for 3 years min.

 

[Epiphany]

Originally posted by: TallBill
man.. heh, you dont seem like someone i want in my service, so i'll skip on sharing details on why you should join. im currently e-4 in army reserves.. but am DYING to go active duty. i cant stand one weekend a month. i need more.. full time.

btw, it only helps with fbi if you served active duty for 3 years min.

I saw a documentary on a few soldiers in Iraq/Afhgan... had the same sentiments as you, now they're really DYING to go home. Saddening.

 

[TallBill]

well i didnt say im dying to get overseas, although i have been volunteering like mad to do it.. i just said i'm switching to active duty

 

[NorthRiver]

Originally posted by: TallBill
well i didnt say im dying to get overseas, although i have been volunteering like mad to do it.. i just said i'm switching to active duty

I went from E4 to E2 when I went active:|

You couldn't pay me enough to be part of that crap anymore. I got sent to a sh!tty company, had sh!tty leaders, but man the beer was good in Germany!

 

[dartworth]

I am really surprised that they are sending reservist overseas for a year. I understand that is what they signed up to do, but still that is such a drastic change.

Training one weekend a month and 2 weeks in the summer, then getting thrown into the middle of a conflict on the other side of the world...

Whereas a full time member is training day after day. I have to believe that it would be very easy for moral to get low with the reservist being gone that long.

 

[NorthRiver]

Other side of the coin is, I would have 14 years in now and could have retired in 6.

 

[TallBill]

Originally posted by: NorthRiver

Originally posted by: TallBill
well i didnt say im dying to get overseas, although i have been volunteering like mad to do it.. i just said i'm switching to active duty

I went from E4 to E2 when I went active:|

You couldn't pay me enough to be part of that crap anymore. I got sent to a sh!tty company, had sh!tty leaders, but man the beer was good in Germany!

wow, that blows.. i'll get to stay e-4. if my release to active duty fails, i plan on going AGR (active guard reserve) which cant be turned down.

 

[Dragnov]

Originally posted by: TallBill
man.. heh, you dont seem like someone i want in my service, so i'll skip on sharing details on why you should join. im currently e-4 in army reserves.. but am DYING to go active duty. i cant stand one weekend a month. i need more.. full time.

btw, it only helps with fbi if you served active duty for 3 years min.

Why you say that? Becuase I said I would want the shortest time possible and hope no deployment? I'm just being honest here. I understand the obligation and would do what I agreed to do. Go above and beyond? I would have to see how I am enjoying my time.


Sh1t, I didn't know reserves got deployed THAT much. I guess its better than nothing if I can't find a job/career after college though. Now I won't even think about it until I finish my education first.. thought I can do reserve service concurrently (as they say on online.)

Ah well, guess I will just wait and see now. Even if its doesn't help in advancing my career I think it would be good experience, but I"ll see.

 

[TallBill]

I'll give the same advice I give anyone interested. Go talk to a recruiter. Its free, and only takes 30-45 minutes to get tons of information. If your uneasy about something that they say, I'll be MORE then glad to answer with the truth as I know it (at least for army/ army reserve questions).

I've come to learn that non-military people have... NO CLUE about the military in general. I know I sure didn't before I joined.

 

[gentobu]

Before you sign up, you should also keep in mind that you will be 'in the army' for 8 years (x years active and x years inactive) minimum. For example if you sign up for '4 years', after those four years are up, you will be put in the Inactive ready reserves for another four years. While you are in the IRR you dont have to go to drill or annual training, but if your MOS is needed then you can be activated and deployed.

 

[dartworth]

Most recruiters are nothing but a salesman in uniform. Talk to people that are in the service...get the real truth. Not the story from some desk jockey looking to improve his numbers.

 

[TallBill]

Originally posted by: dartworth
Most recruiters are nothing but a salesman in uniform. Talk to people that are in the service...get the real truth. Not the story from some desk jockey looking to improve his numbers.

Most? All of them are. There job is to sell the army, which means that they happen to know a crapload about it. After you do that, THEN go ask questions from other people.

 

[ScottMac]

Something that may or may not make a difference for you:

If you join the "Reserves" (Army, Navy, MC, or AirForce) you, as an individual, can be called up for active duty.

If you join the National Guard (Army or Air National Guard), your entire unit must be activated. Apparently, this is not an uncommon occurance these days, so I'd assign it a slightly lower chance of getting called up.

Your actual time in the "active" phase of your enlistment will vary somewhat, depending on what schools you choose to attend. Advanced schools generally will keep you on "Active" longer, as they are longer schools. Some of the more advanced schools may require extending your enlistment to qualify.

As mentioned above, the actual enlistment time is the same (six years or eight years), the time is split between Active duty, Active Reserve, and Inactive Reserve time.

The general vernacular will be something like "I'm a 2 X 8" (two years active, eight years total enlistment).

As a college grad, you may qualify for Officer's Candidate School (OCS). Discuss it with the recruiter. New officers make more money than new enlisted people and generally have better quarters and perks.

Good Luck

Scott

 

[Kroze]

I'm in the Marines Reserve perhaps i can answer some of your questions. Joining is nothing more than signing a piece of paper saying that you agree to work at this job for certain amount of years and that you ass belong to the government for that amount of years. Like it or not, you will do your job till the contract is over.

You will go through training just like everyone else, active or reserve. what makes the reserve different from the active is that right after you got done with all the training with the active duty guys, you go home.

one weekend in a month, you go back to a unit that is already chosen for you in your state to drill (or do your job or whichever they want you to do in 3 days.)

Other than that, you are a civilian 27 other days in a month. you will have to find a civilian job just like everyone else.

Originally posted by: Gr1mL0cK
Can someone give me some knowledge on what joining really entails? Yeah, I can talk to a recruiter but the title alone tells you what they really want. I'm looking for a more objective source for now.

Bear with me since I know absolutely nothing of this matter.

I'm 21, and I'm in college at a good university and I will graduate probably sometime next year. I'm not in any financial needs or anything, but I do not have my future living set or anything.

And yes I understand you are their b1tch for x amount of years. I noticed the Navy reserves was 2 years as opposed 3 years for Army. Any shorter ones? (Shorter the better, as I would like to have my options open.) And yes, I understand I may be called up for duty (I hope not.)

So now...

Are there physical requirements? Do you go through training?

I don't quite understand what it means you work for them as a civilian? Do you pick a job? How often are you supposed to work? If I read right you meet once a week?

Whats the normal day like for that once a week? Is that the job or is that something else?

I have more questions but I'll ask as I get answers. I would like to work for the federal government in the future idieally FBI/CIA type of work. I would think this would be good experience no?

 

[Kroze]

you're better off going to an Officer Recruiter. Much better than enlisted. right after you get out of training, you're pretty much tell all the enlisted what to do including guys who's been there for 20 years.

Well here's my story, perhaps it will help you understand how the process works.

June 2002
Took the ASVAB test. Scored 75 out of 99. Recruiter talk to me what job is available for me with that score. Since there is only one reserve unit near me. I have a choice between Motor Transportation or Bulk Fuel. At the time Motor T is full so i'm left with Bulk Fuel.

Now if i were to go active duty, it will be completely a different story. I have so many different jobs i can pick. Don't listen to what the recruiter tells you that the job you want is full. be persistent and tell him that you won't join till you get that job.

So anyway, went to bootcamp in June 2002 with a 6/2 contract. 6 years reserve, 2 years inactive reserve.

3 months basic training in Parris Island, SC. Get 10 days of leave (go home)
1 month in Marine Combat Training, Camp Lejeune NC.
2 months in Fort Lee, VA. for my Bulk Fuel job training.

So 6 months total i spend in training. Now it's December, now i can go home and be a civilian and just report to the reserve unit every month to drill (3 days).

But, found out that my unit is activated to go to Southwest Asia (Kuwait & Iraq).

We Fly to California and stay there for 2 weeks getting all of the necessary gear & medical shots (malaria, anthrax, smallpox, etc...) It was really fun b/c they let us out on the weekend in Cali. I love Oceanside.

Then we fly 18 hours straight to Germany and then Kuwait. Spend about 1 month there to wait for the war to start. THe war start on March 20. We pushed upward to Iraq.

7 months later after we kick ass and chew bubble gum, everything settle down and the army finally shows up to take over the situation. We go ahead and went home.

August 2004 when i got home, They really means it when they those guys in the commercials say that they've never done so much in the military in a couple of years than they ever did in their lifetime.

I, graduate high school, complete Marine Corps bootcamp, Marine Combat Training, Bulk Fuel School, went to 4 different states (SC, NC, VA, CA), 3 different countries (Germany, Kuwait, Iraq), fought a war and became a war Veteran all before my 20th birthday.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Now, i have a fulltime civilian job and go to drill one weekend a month until my 6 years contract is up. Though i heard we might be get activated again doing a 7 months rotation since the Army aren't up to the task in Iraq.

 

[dquan97]

Air Force OCS (School for Officers) is accepting mostly people with BS in engineering, minimum GPA 3.2 (preferrably 3.5).