Debating on joining the reserves?

SGT Robert Zuniga — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 11:24:51 -0400

I am currently weighing some options on joining the coast guard reserves. I am a federally employed worker but there is still a sense of duty missing. I have recently obtained my bachelors degree and can go direct commission. The main concerns that I have are being deployed again. I deployed to OEF3 and 6 for almost 2 years. What does everyone think? Should I try to balance 2 careers or be greatful for the one I have now.

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Aug 12 at 2015 11:26 AM

SCPO David Lockwood — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 11:26:55 -0400

It'a all about what you want to do with your life and what your plans are. What do you expect to get out of the reserves and what are the benifits. Good luck!

Response by CPO Jon Campbell made Aug 12 at 2015 3:17 PM

CPO Jon Campbell — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 15:17:28 -0400

There is always a chance of being deployed when you are in the reserve, but there are certain specialties where people are deployed more often and those where people never get deployed. If you get assigned to a PSU (and that is quite likely given your qualifications) you would likely have to deploy at some point. The Coast Guard activated over 100% of its reservists (How do you do that?!) in the past decade, though. Most of that was through repeat deployments for Hurricane Katrina and Deep Water Horizon. Many people were deployed mutiple times and a lot of people volunteered for multiple deployments. I think I understand your trepidation, but deploying in the Coast Guard is a vastly different thing than deploying to a combat situation. Coast Guard reservists stand in line to get a chance to deploy. There are always a few that don't want to go or the timing isn't right, but for the most part, you almost have to push your way to the front of the line to get a chance to go. The exception would be PSU's, but they deploy on a somewhat regular basis.
My advice would be to enlist and see how you like it before applying for a commission. Newly commissioned officers (especially former Army) would likely have a greater chance of being assigned to a PSU. If you enlist, your rating will likely have a lot to do with whether or not you have or get to deploy. If you are thinking about a particular rating, let me know. I would be glad to give you feedback and an honest assessment of it.

Response by LTC John Shaw made Aug 12 at 2015 3:51 PM

LTC John Shaw — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 15:51:24 -0400

I love dual careers and I am grateful to have the reserve opportunity. Sounds like you have done all the work. You just need to make it happen. If you have that calling you must do it.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Aug 12 at 2015 3:52 PM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 15:52:08 -0400

The coasties dona great job. I applaud you for considering country over self!

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 12 at 2015 3:59 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 15:59:03 -0400

The thing to look into would be whether the Coast Guard Reserves deploys regularly. I don't believe they do/at all.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 12 at 2015 4:46 PM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 16:46:10 -0400

SGT Robert Zuniga, I know plenty of DA civilians that work up here at TACOM that are also in the reserves and when they put in their reserve uniform, they come right in the office and perform the same duties. This maybe a unique situation, but they all seem to like the process and the dual jobs.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Aug 12 at 2015 5:16 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 17:16:28 -0400

Try to be object about the pros and cons of both COAs. Is there a show stopper involved with one COA?

Response by CPO Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 12 at 2015 6:49 PM

CPO Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 18:49:03 -0400

I'm a police officer and CG reservist... Send me a message and I can probably help you out

Response by SCPO Carl Wayne Boss made Aug 15 at 2015 6:49 PM

SCPO Carl Wayne Boss — Sat, 15 Aug 2015 18:49:46 -0400

I worked two Careers simultaneously from the time I was discharged from active duty in 1976 after Vietnam... One in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve as a XOIC, Admin Officer and Team Leader of a 35 person team of a small 130 person Small Boat Unit on Arizona's "West Coast", called the "U.S. Coast Guard Colorado River Patrol" doing, Law Enforcement, Firefighting, Medical Emergency response and Boating Safety.

My Civilian employ was as a Firefighter/EMT Fire Inspector & Investigator for several different private, military & municipal Fire Departments. For a time I was a Fire Inspector II for the City of Phoenix Fire Dept. Division of Fire Prevention's New Construction Section and often ran large construction projects over a cell phone and computer from the deck or bridge of a Coast Guard Cutter.

If being deployed worries you then, you may not want to make the commitment, because that possibility always exists... that after all is what the Reserves are for... a ready source of trained manpower that can be called on when the need arises... even in the Coast Guard! Personally... I never regretted making that commitment for 1 second.

I was finally forced to retire from the Coast Guard with over 30 years of Service in 2006, I retired from Phoenix Fire with 28 years of Service, but I still volunteer as the Deputy Chief of Fire Prevention and Fire Marshal of a small Private Fire Department in Rural Arizona and don't plan to quit until I've completed 50 years in the Fire Service... I've got 4 years to go!

I said all that... to say this... IT CAN BE DONE MR... GO FOR IT! And give both jobs all you've got... just make sure your Bride's on board Mr. or it could become difficult... "Capiche?" That's Italian for "Understand?" "Comprende?" That's Mexican for the same thing!

Response by CPO Andy Carrillo, MS made Aug 28 at 2015 2:34 PM

CPO Andy Carrillo, MS — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 14:34:39 -0400

I think you are in a great place to balance and enjoy both! If you have any prior service you can reclaim your federal service points (1 point for every day of AD, 2 points for every IADT [4 pts/weekend]) and access commissary/exchange/SGLI term life insurance, etc. Depending on your assignment will determine your probability of deployment, another national crisis notwithstanding. My reserve experience always provided me with an employment cushion during Hurricane Andrew and other economy-altering events. Now retired, I and my wife enjoy low cost med insurance and low co-pays, zero cost medications, plus all the benefits I enjoyed 26 years prior. The CG reserves has been a huge blessing in my life and I only wish I had been a better and more appreciative member throughout my various deployments. I sense you will enjoy serving with my fellow Coasties.

Response by CPO Andy Carrillo, MS made Aug 28 at 2015 2:41 PM

CPO Andy Carrillo, MS — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 14:41:27 -0400

BZ, CPO Cortes!

Response by LT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 26 at 2017 7:34 AM

LT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 Oct 2017 07:34:00 -0400

As an employer the federal government is very supportive of reserve duty. I am also a dual personna, if your skills between your GS job and your reserve job overlap you play both ends to make the most of training and experience building opportunities.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Oct 26 at 2017 12:59 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Thu, 26 Oct 2017 12:59:35 -0400

A few thoughts coming from experience as an Army Civilian:
1. Balancing isn't really a big deal. You will get military leave equal to 160 hours per year for weekend drills and your two-weeks of full-time duty each year. If you are deployed on orders, you will get those same 160 hours as paid leave while you're deployed and maybe more (find an expert in this for the latest numbers). Your supervisor will have been instructed on how to handle employees who are RC members and few will complain and none will discriminate against you.
2. The RC members who worked with me provided very valuable contemporary insights into what was going on in the Active Duty and Reserve Army. This helped us in planning for and responding to the needs of those service members.
3. Do get a commission. Better pay, better jobs, more retirement.
4. If possible, get a reserve position closely related to your civilian job. One training course can count twice when it can be applied to both military and civilian jobs. Also you'll find that some military training, such a Army Command and Staff, can be used in place of civilian leadership training courses. (I received credit for all civilian leadership training except Army Civilian Basic Course because I had completed all the Air Force Officer professional education through Air War College.)

Response by Conner Fleury made Mar 24 at 2018 6:10 PM

Conner Fleury — Sat, 24 Mar 2018 18:10:23 -0400

I am finding my self with the same delema. Especially with the fact that i own my own business. Never thought id find another thread on here with the same similiar delema. My biggest fear is getting in over my head and having to give up on my full time job. Im not afraid to work hard or grind for it. Id suggest researching the shit outta it. I am looking into USMC so it is a little different from coast guard. Talk to people. Talk to a recruiter. Although i havent made a decison yet or have ever been threw the process. I know how hard it can be to make a big move without burning yourself. And someone to relate to. What I found helpful was do a pro and con chart. If your like me and really need to see things for them to make sense to you it really helps. Take it with a grain of salt. I am by no means an expert. Just my two cents and kinda what i have gone threw to far and found helpful. Also venting on here and getting peoples options and ideas really helps to. Best of luck to you on your journey.