Posted on Jun 10, 2016
PO2 Aviation Electronics Technician (At)
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I'm currently active duty navy, considering the reserves, only because I have a dependent who I have only been able to see when I take leave, I'm trying to get input when it comes to options anything someone can give me would be amazing!
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PO1 Cryptologic Technician (Technical)
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Edited 8 y ago
I have one question;

Would you ever want to come back as Active Duty Navy?
Reason I am asking is because it's getting difficult, depending on rate, to come back from RC to AC. I'm currently going through that and my rate is currently full based on my Year Group.

If you said no to my question, then talk to your career counselor about opportunities in the reserve. There's a lot of good things for those who want to be home and serve their country. I will tell you coming from a AD environment, things move very differently and how things work will throw you for a loop; it will get better and there are personnel in your command that will help you with the transition. The job market isn't all too good right now so hopefully you'll have a plan to go back to school or you have secured employment that will be beneficial.

If you said yes, then you still need to talk to a career counselor and see how to go about with the potential of having a career in the AD Navy while trying to care for a dependent. And just out of curiosity, ask someone who is single dealing with a dependent that is at your home of record. Re-evaluate the pros and cons. Talk to Fleet & Family services as well to get some input on your situation. They may know something you don't.

You do what you need to do but for an honest opinion who went out of AD, I would stick with it. Your benefits, insurance, and pay can't compare to something in the civilian world. I got out of AD due to the fact I was afraid I would miss out on my child growing up, missing family time and what not. Honestly, I really wasn't missing anything at all. Given your situation is different but still, make sure it's really REALLY want you want to do.

Best of luck to you!
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Capt Tom Brown
Capt Tom Brown
8 y
PO1 (Join to see) Thanks for sharing those personal insights which are especially relevant coming from someone who has been there and done that, so-to-speak. What you say should be taken to heart by anyone considering career choices. Are you still at West Side Tractors? Best wishes in yr efforts and pls keep RP posted on any good news which develops.
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PO1 Cryptologic Technician (Technical)
PO1 (Join to see)
8 y
Capt Tom Brown - I still am. I've been working on getting back in to AD with the RC to AC program. It's a long hard road ahead due to the fact that when my EAOS was up I went IRR then went into the Reserve, causing my Year Group to be pushed up (I was 2011, now I'm 2012). If I went right into the Reserve after my 4 years, my YG wouldn't have changed and I would already be back Active. The YG for my rate is over-manned so I have to wait up until there's an opening to apply. Also if I need to (which I don't really want to do since I've got all the training as a CTT) I'll have to cross-rate. Now I have to wait until the FY17 comes around and check again.
Since nothing is set in stone as of this moment, I haven't let my civilian employer know of my intentions.

To anyone that wants to be RC to AC, keep vigilant on the changes within your YG; you never know when your rate is available.
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Capt Tom Brown
Capt Tom Brown
8 y
PO1 (Join to see) We'll have to check back with you in Oct to see what develops. Hopefully you have a strong support network at home and of course aren't burning any bridges. In the meantime keep posting yr insights and comments here on RP. Always enjoy reading what you have to say.
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PO2 Aviation Electronics Technician (At)
PO2 (Join to see)
8 y
I love the military I really do, I'd do 20 years if I stayed in, granted I've been on shore duty this whole time and I've considered cross rating so I can jump from RD to AD of I change my mind. My brother has a successful company I can make 90k starting and I have a solid background in sales and management. Honestly I wanted to be a recruiter I know everyone says it sucks but I love sales lol I just picked up second class waiting to get frocked but I need physical time to be allowed to be with my son so he is able to visit me if I was deployed. I still have a year and a half of AD left however if I turn down my next orders I cannot reenlist
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SSG Senior Maintenance Supervisor
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I was an Army recruiter, things may be a bit different for the Naval reserve. However, when you are discharged your DD214 will have RE and SPD codes on it.

*You RE MUST be a 1 (or 2), with no negative SPD code.
*The reserve unit must have a vacancy for the MOS and Rank you will hold. This can sometimes mean you may get promoted, but never demoted.
*You may have to go back to school training if the local reserve unit has slots, but not in the MOS you currently hold.
*Medical care is kind of expensive. Its no longer free, and you will pay a monthly rate for family medical care.
*Reserve units deploy too. Often more than Active Duty units. ie a Civil Affairs unit near my recruiting station was ALWAYS somewhere other than home.
*Your retirement will take much much longer, and will not be paid out until 62? You will be working for points. Every drill and day worked gives points. More points, faster you can retire.
*Active duty time will count (obviously) towards your retirement points.
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CW3 Dylan E. Raymond, PHR
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Have you reached out to your local reserve recruiter. I know serving in the reserve will give you the flexibility to still serve and earn a pension
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PO2 Aviation Electronics Technician (At)
PO2 (Join to see)
8 y
No sir I have not yet, I wanted to get some input from people in my shoes before I talked to them.
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CAPT Don Bosch, EdD
CAPT Don Bosch, EdD
8 y
PO2 (Join to see) How's it going? From personal experience, I transitioned from the active to reserve Navy a while back and it was a great move. In my case I had two things pushing me: (1) My active duty contract was wrapping up and wasn't likely to be renewed (due to military drawdown), and (2) I already had a job lined up in Navy civilian service which would support my reserve service. If you don't already have a transition plan to a civilian job, grad school, etc, I agree with others here who say keep up the sustained superior active duty service until that option becomes clear. When you're ready to make the transition, the Reserves provides lots of additional career and family support options (additional pay, education benefits, Tricare Prime Reserve, SGLI). - Here to help if you want to talk off-line or get connected with a Recruiter in your area. [login to see] or I/M me here at RallyPoint. vr/db
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