Can I leave the active reserves anytime?

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 18 Jul 2019 23:02:30 -0400

Hello everyone. I will hit my 5 years of Active Duty as a Corpsman on April 6, 2020 and was initially planning on separating. However, I am now considering the Active Reserves. I would be at NOSC Los Angeles, if I were to do it. The recruiter has told me that I can do a 2 year mobilization deferment as I am just coming off of AD. She also mentioned that it is a non-obligatory contract, as in I can supposedly sign something and I can leave the active reserves and transfer to Individual Ready Reserves. I am so skeptical about this and feel like I am being lied to.
Is this actually a thing that I can do if I absolutely hate the reserves?
Is anyone familiar with what NOSC LA is like?
What's a typical drill weekend like?
Should I do it?

I guess the reason I am considering it is because I am having a hard time letting go of the uniform and kind of want to test out the reserves. I will be working a part time job and going to school full time. Husband has a good job with insurance so TRICARE is not the reason either. So I guess my reasons are not necessarily straightforward and I am not sure if "just wanting to still feel like part of the community" is good enough reason to get my butt into another contract.
Thank you for any input.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 19 at 2019 2:10 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 19 Jul 2019 02:10:03 -0400

I understand very much the desire to not hang up your boots.
In answer to your first question, you will sign a contract to go over to the USNR. It may be an addendum to your base statutory obligation contract, or a whole new one, but you will have something, minimally codifying the mobilization deferment. What that contract says will determine who easy it is to leave the USNR and go to the IRR.

As for whether you should do it or not, I did something similar in the Army all those many years ago, and wound up making a career of Reserve Service. It has a nice retirement, and some other perks that are worthwhile. But at the end of the day, it comes down to what is in your heart for continued service. Reserve Service can be demanding too, and disruptive to schooling and work, not to mention family. I enjoyed it, but I paid for it too.

Response by CDR Terry Boles made Jul 19 at 2019 11:38 AM

CDR Terry Boles — Fri, 19 Jul 2019 11:38:59 -0400

I’m glad you may not want to hang up the uniform for good and considering SELRES, active reserves.

Should you not have any further contractual commitment joining the Reserves is quite painless and in the future should you decide to stop drilling, it too is a painless process and go IRR.

Hopefully you will be assigned to a fun unit which makes drilling weekends something to look forward to.

I wish you well in your career.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Jul 19 at 2019 1:12 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Fri, 19 Jul 2019 13:12:12 -0400

1. By advised all military service requires a totalo of 8yrs, split between AD, ND, AR, IRR. The choice is yours after active service as to which group you go into for the remaining yrs. 2. As for moving from one tpo the other during that time- you have to see a recruiter.

Response by SFC Howard Holmes made Oct 8 at 2019 1:06 AM

SFC Howard Holmes — Tue, 08 Oct 2019 01:06:39 -0400

Depending on your branch, if you're Army or Air Force, join the National Guard. They are much better funded than the Reserves. The reserves have been broke for a very long time. Broke as in lack of funding, leadership, missions, opportunities, and most states have pretty good benefits for their guard members.