Any recruiters that can help with active to reserve questions?

2016-06-10T11:13:27-04:00

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!

Response by SSG Pete Fleming made Jun 10 at 2016 11:16 AM

2016-06-10T11:16:46-04:00

I understand... but don't get out yet. The economy and job market is terrible out here in the real world. Keep your job. Which is worse not seeing your child or not feeding your child... Stay in at least for now

Response by CW3 Dylan E. Raymond, PHR made Jun 10 at 2016 11:17 AM

2016-06-10T11:17:41-04:00

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

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 10 at 2016 11:29 AM

2016-06-10T11:29:35-04:00

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.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 10 at 2016 11:42 AM

2016-06-10T11:42:48-04:00

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!

Response by PO2 Robert Aitchison made Jun 10 at 2016 12:41 PM

2016-06-10T12:41:57-04:00

Honestly I really wish I had gone into the reserves after my enlistment was up. At the time I was too immature to appreciate that but hindsight is a bitch ;) Honestly it's one of my top regrets in my life.

There's a friend of mine and RP member CPO David Canfield who semi-recently retired from the reserves. Maybe he can chime in for you. I know he's told me the reserves are what you make of it, you can sit at the reserve center twidling your thumbs or you can go out and seek interesting and challenging opportunities to fulfill your drill and training obligations.

Response by SFC J Fullerton made Jun 10 at 2016 3:45 PM

2016-06-10T15:45:22-04:00

Can only speak about Army Reserve. Being PS Navy, if otherwise qualified you can either get a slot for an Army MOS that directly relates to your Navy MOS (if applicable and a vacancy exists), or accept a "will train" MOS, where the Reserve unit will get you MOS qualified through on the job training. Some MOS's may require you to attend AIT. You will not go to basic, and will keep your rank. There may be cash bonuses for PS, but that varies by unit and MOS. Also, there are many more USAR units out there than USNR units, so is a better chance of finding something more local to you and shorter travel to drill. See your local Army Reserve Recruiter for details.

Response by 1SG Brian Adams made Jun 10 at 2016 7:48 PM

2016-06-10T19:48:12-04:00

I would advise you to stay on Active duty. Sounds as though you can only see your dependent when you on leave. The Navy culture is different from the Army, however, I am sure you could talk to your chain of command and or counseling to see if you can remedy your situation. You can also be deployed while in a reserve unit. Hope this helps you out.

Response by CAPT Don Bosch, EdD made Jun 16 at 2016 7:57 AM

2016-06-16T07:57:10-04:00

Thoughts added below...

Response by PO3 Dennis Sutton made Jun 16 at 2016 8:49 AM

2016-06-16T08:49:10-04:00

You can never regain time away from the family . Only add time to them . Take the reserves. I can help if looking for another career.

Response by PO1 Leona Weir made Jun 16 at 2016 12:04 PM

2016-06-16T12:04:12-04:00

Honestly, if I had to do it all again, I would stay active. I don't know your full situation, but the job market is not great right now. Talk to your Career councilor about maybe getting a hardship reassignment.

Response by CDR Ed Griffith made Jun 16 at 2016 11:14 PM

2016-06-16T23:14:24-04:00

How many years active duty do you have? A total of 20 years active and reserve will get you a reduced retirement when you are 60. 20 years active duty means you get retirement pay right away. Also consider that there is a possibility of recall in our dangerous world.

Response by PO1 Elverton Chin made Jun 17 at 2016 1:19 AM

2016-06-17T01:19:16-04:00

I was on active duty for nine years as a PO2 and then became a reserve for thirteen years. If I had to do it over, I would have stayed on active duty until retirement. My reason is after retiring on active duty, you can start collecting your pension at whatever age you are. If you became a reserve, you collect your pension at age 60 years old and the pension is a lot less than if you retired on active duty. So, if you are any where near ten years in the service, I would recommend staying in the service until retirement. As A PO2, I believe you might be near it. Financially, you will be in a better position to support your dependent, because you can start a second career after retiring on active duty. You will be collecting your pension and at the same time, earning a second income. The civilian world is not as rosy as people might say it is. Most civilian employers do not offer retirement pension any more unless you are lucky to come across one. That is a thing of the past, as the internet has reduced the work force and companies make more profits without having to offer pension. I hope this will help you in deciding your best options, and if I can be of any more help to you, please let me know. I am AM1 Elverton Chin (AW) USN Retired.