Can I join the Army Reserves during graduate school?

2020-09-09T10:41:43-04:00

I was accepted to a Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) program in Denver. It's a post-bacc certificate program, equivalent to training needed for 71E. I've always wanted to join the Army Reserves though. I have a husband and a son, and I graduated with my bachelors about a year ago. Would I be able to join the Reserves while still completing my MLS program at the same time (it begins in January)? If so, would I be able to go to OBC before my program begins or would I have to wait until after I complete my program to join the reserves? I'm sorry if this is a silly question. Lastly, I am definitely enrolling in this graduate program because I've already accepted the offer. I'm just looking for a way to join the Army Reserves at some point because it's always been something that I've wanted to do!

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Sep 9 at 2020 10:46 AM

2020-09-09T10:46:07-04:00

Dear Taryn, I pray that you are successful at finding the answers to your questions. Taryn Garcia

Response by SSG Steven Borders made Sep 9 at 2020 11:09 AM

2020-09-09T11:09:39-04:00

Have you talked to a recruiter Taryn Garcia ? That would be your first step as they would be able to get you that answer.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 9 at 2020 11:45 AM

2020-09-09T11:45:58-04:00

You can join at any time, but you are not guaranteed to attend BOLC at your convenience. Your school dates may interfere with your MLS program. HRC puts you in the next available class. If your focus is the MLS program I recommend you complete that prior to joining. You may not get another chance to be accepted in a MLS program but there will always (given age restrictions) be time to join the military.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 9 at 2020 2:39 PM

2020-09-09T14:39:32-04:00

The USAR isn’t going to schedule things around you, and you’ll be at the mercy of your chain of command support to allow your civilian professional development to progress.

The USAR is ideally set up for those individuals already completely set up in their civilian careers and academic/professional development, or those coming out of Active Service looking to finish out a 20 year retirement pension.

Those seeking educational benefits are best served pursing Active Duty options where the education benefits are essentially guaranteed with satisfactory 3 year service obligation rather than commit to 6-8 years of multi month interruptions at unpredictable intervals.

If you join the USAR there is no telling when you are going to be able to finish your program, or if you decide to put the program first, you need to manage the expected adverse consequences of your USAR commitment (I've seen soldiers simply game the system that way, and take "bad years" of reserve service for the longer term benefit of education).

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 9 at 2020 7:51 PM

2020-09-09T19:51:00-04:00

My advice is start your MLS program and when you are about 6 month from graduation go speak with a recruiter. It will take at least that long to get very far in the process of direct commissioning as an AMEDD officer. You will not be able to do the reserves and grad school and be a spouse and mother all at the same time or if you are something will have to go by the wayside at times.

The reserves is way more of a time commitment than 1 weekend a month 2 weeks a year. The reserves doesn’t work around your schedule as others have said. You will have to do trainings. It won’t always be when it’s convenient for you or your work place. Sometimes you’ll get short notice for training events. Monthly battle assemblies are not optional. Some commanders are more relaxed than others about doing alternate make up drills. I wouldn’t count on it being the norm.

Finish your program or be in the last semester of it and then go talk to an AMEDD recruiter. You’ll have more to offer the army and they’ll be willing to offer you what they can as well and you’ll be more prepared to devote the time needed to be a good officer.