Posted on Jun 27, 2018
In your opinion, what is the best Reserve branch to join as an officer?
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If you have time, please explain your answer.
Some background info: I’ve been thinking about joining the Reserves for a few years now, but the timing was never right. I’m seriously considering joining in the next year. I would most likely go for intel or public affairs. I have a B.S. in Marketing and an International MBA. I currently work for a DoD contractor that specializes in intelligence. My husband is an officer in the USMC and is planning on staying in until retirement.
Some background info: I’ve been thinking about joining the Reserves for a few years now, but the timing was never right. I’m seriously considering joining in the next year. I would most likely go for intel or public affairs. I have a B.S. in Marketing and an International MBA. I currently work for a DoD contractor that specializes in intelligence. My husband is an officer in the USMC and is planning on staying in until retirement.
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Reserves
Reserves
Posted 6 y ago
Responses: 4
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I did not base my answer solely because I serve in the USAR as an Officer and Military Technician. I have other sources of data and information to support it as well.
It all boils down to the USAR has the strongest reserve career opportunities. Part of this stems from having the most paid drilling positions nation wide. Not so with the other reserve components, with the exception of the Army & Air Force National Guard (which was not part of your choices).
But even the ARNG & AFNG when broken down to the state levels does not have the transportability of career felids and a significant decrease of upward mobility. Add in state politics and things could get dicey. With the USAR you can be working in a civilian job in LA, CA and then have a transfer move to Boston, MA. Chances are you will easily find a local paid billet upon arrival. Not so in the other reserves and ARNG/AFNG.
It all boils down to the USAR has the strongest reserve career opportunities. Part of this stems from having the most paid drilling positions nation wide. Not so with the other reserve components, with the exception of the Army & Air Force National Guard (which was not part of your choices).
But even the ARNG & AFNG when broken down to the state levels does not have the transportability of career felids and a significant decrease of upward mobility. Add in state politics and things could get dicey. With the USAR you can be working in a civilian job in LA, CA and then have a transfer move to Boston, MA. Chances are you will easily find a local paid billet upon arrival. Not so in the other reserves and ARNG/AFNG.
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LTC (Join to see)
Being in the National Guard and dealing with a good old boy Network or not being with the state guard that I was attach to while going to a rack prevented me from getting my captain for 3 years. I put in my promotion to lay letter in the National Guard knowing I couldn't get promoted and when I was at the Idaho guard, they didn't seem to care when I was down range with them. As soon as I went into the I obtained my Captain. The Army Reserve seems to be focused on your school's first then the mission instead of the other way around. Also, they pay up to $500 and travel allowance and I come from Alberta Canada so that is very convenient for me. People who were taking command general staff officer course common core from the National Guard we're not being reimbursed for mileage or lodging in kind while officers in the Army Reserve were.
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LTC (Join to see)
LTC (Join to see) correction, I was referring to phase 2 of CGS OC where you go to a classroom for 8 months one weekend a month National Guard officers we're not getting reimbursed for travel expenses because their State National Guards didn't have any money.
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Seriously consider USCHR, also, look at the defense attache system attached to State Dept, I don't know if they take Reserve, however, you could always ask, you know?
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The best branch will be the one that has pay billets and supports travel. The second part has become very problematical over the past 15 years. Oh, we have a pay billet, but you have to do the 400 miles each way on your own time and dime. As you progress up the ranks, the local pay billets disappear because you're over-graded. The exception are the communities that are so small, the only way they can exist is to support travel. The other thing to consider is a specialty or designator that lends itself to telework. I had billets out in the Pacific but didn't need to go there all the time. I'd drill with my laptop at the local center. Public Affairs might be one of those options. The billets are scattered so they have to have enough supported travel to make it work. I'll caveat as "Work = Work Sorta". Nobody is fat on travel.
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