I am considering reserves as a 25B. Can you offer advice?

SPC Shaun Boykin — Fri, 17 Feb 2017 22:11:08 -0500

I finished my active duty contract and now im a civilian. Im bored with daily life and struggling applying for school and finding a job. Im considering going into reserves as a 25B. I made poor decisions in korea and got my rank taken away all the way down. I think careerwise it sounds like a good idea, but i had a very bad experience as AD, and im afraid it would be a repeated. Any advice will help thank you

Response by SSG Mark Franzen made Feb 17 at 2017 10:44 PM

SSG Mark Franzen — Fri, 17 Feb 2017 22:44:09 -0500

Are you able to Get in the reserves do all the trouble in Active Duty and that would be the First thing is Contact the reserves and see if they will take You and also are you plan on making it a career in the reserves? Also letting you Know that you if you thing when you hit 20 years that your going to get retirement pay but you can't draw it till your 65 years old.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2017 5:10 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 18 Feb 2017 05:10:41 -0500

My advice is go National Guard, still RC but more options and depending on the State additional educational benefits. On top of that the Guard gets activated for all the at home emergencies, fires, floods, etc.

I know I'm biased being National Guard myself, but I've talked to a few Reservists and it just seems like the Guard is better. Of course it's all a component of the Army so all the games are still there.

Good luck, technology and cyber warfare seems to be the way to go.

Response by SMSgt Roger Horton made Feb 18 at 2017 5:22 AM

SMSgt Roger Horton — Sat, 18 Feb 2017 05:22:21 -0500

Don't know your age or which state you are in but in Florida Army or Air guard if you can get 30 years in before the age of 60 Florida doubles your retirement. If retire the you get insurance.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2017 5:54 AM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 18 Feb 2017 05:54:25 -0500

Depending on the state I believe you can get higher education benefits as a guardsman, but for everything else USAR is way better. You are federally funded and fall under the federal government. You have better opportunities in promotion, deployment, school, etc.

Reserve 25B training is split into 4 phases, but usually you'll take them all at once. Reservist usually get their MOS training from regional reclass schools across the country. Which means you won't end up in some big AD post with the regular AIT Soldiers. As a reservist you'll be expected to show up once a month and two to four weeks a year, usually in the summer but it can vary. Depending on your unit and leadership you should gets several opportunities to earn IT certs throughout the year. After you finish your 25B training and get a cert or two you should easily be able to find a job.

Succeeding in the reserves is much easier than AD because you only have to put up with the Army BS one weekend a month. As long as you stay in shape, maintain your health readiness, and do your training you should easily be able to rank up and progress. Being in the reserves helps break the monotony of daily work and life but it can get time consuming and annoying at times.

Response by SGT Steve Hines-Saich B.S. M.S. Cybersecurity made Feb 18 at 2017 7:47 AM

SGT Steve Hines-Saich B.S. M.S. Cybersecurity — Sat, 18 Feb 2017 07:47:10 -0500

If going into the Reserves or guard gets you moving in the right direction do it! 25B is an excellent MOS with lots of opportunity to grow and get certified. (not every mos offers this) As to your previous performance, this is your chance to turn that around. Work your way back up the ranks and hold yourself accoutable. Lastly, research colleges and universities. Find one that is accredited and start learning. It will only make you better.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2017 1:58 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 18 Feb 2017 13:58:13 -0500

Service in the reserves is a great way to continue your Army career. If you want to excel and move up in rank you will have to police yourself, and put in lots of work on your own time. There are many great NCOs in the reserves who will guide you along the way.

Response by SSG Eddye Royal made Feb 18 at 2017 3:46 PM

SSG Eddye Royal — Sat, 18 Feb 2017 15:46:20 -0500

SPC Shaun Boykin, when I speak to someone as yourself I want to give great information. I verified your location via LinkedIn. Since your in Kansas, outside of FT. Riley. I'll say; you can go to Manhattan if that's close or Junction City, KS. Speak to someone there about the education benefits and re-up process, since your LinkedIn account still says you are active. They will tell you how to switch over to the Reserves to keep your time or IRR POINTS.
Make sure to tell them about 25B schooling; that is what I'm am doing; once you get setup up you can contact me.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2017 3:48 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 18 Feb 2017 15:48:40 -0500

I know nothing about the 25b MOS. From my experience in the Army National Guard, I found that prior service active duty rarely liked the Guard. They either expected it to be like boy scouts, and found that it was still too Army for them, OR they wanted it to be just like active duty had been. Those that adapted to the Guard, AND kept up on their PT though did just fine. A number of prior active guys that came to us failed APFTs. I don't believe that many of them realized how much PRT was doing for them! If you can keep up on your pt on your own, and handle the random stupidity that's guaranteed to come down from time to time in every unit, every branch, it's a great opportunity.

Response by LTC John Shaw made Feb 18 at 2017 11:59 PM

LTC John Shaw — Sat, 18 Feb 2017 23:59:04 -0500

I recommend National Guard early in your career and Reserves later as you may move to different locations or need Sr. level opportunities.
I have 30 years in the KYNG/Army Reserve and three (12 month) combat tours, post 9/11, you should expect to get deployed once every 3-5 years to demonstrate the skills you have acquired.
To be a good 25B, you must be detail oriented to follow specific processes. Technology is not an area that you can skip steps. Pursue if you have the mindset that you will like assisting people with technology, if you don't enjoy this aspect of service, then I don't recommend it.

Bottom line: If you have the aptitude for 25B then, can you discipline yourself to follow a path that many others have followed and achieved success? It is making this decision everyday to focus on work and the skills necessary to execute well.
You can do it, God speed in your pursuits.

Response by SPC Shaun Boykin made Feb 19 at 2017 11:48 PM

SPC Shaun Boykin — Sun, 19 Feb 2017 23:48:41 -0500

Thank you everyone for the advice and help. I took to heart and ill use it to help with my decision

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 20 at 2017 1:40 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Feb 2017 01:40:57 -0500

A lot of issues you will face as a national guard and reserves is dedicating your time split between your civilian career and your military one. Keep in mind it is not for the faint of heart but also not the hardest thing to do. 25B series in the reserves is one of the busiest MOS however looks great on a resume. Foolow your passion as far as MOS and you will be successful

Response by SGT Billy McLaughlin made Feb 23 at 2017 5:08 PM

SGT Billy McLaughlin — Thu, 23 Feb 2017 17:08:17 -0500

If you don't mind sharing, what is your education level coming from being a 25B? When I left active duty after finishing up my B.S. I was a specialist, and then promoted later. But I later was able to separate after the demands of my position in civilian life out-paced my Military life career, and deployment meant major lifestyle changes (E5 pay, essentially was a third even with combat pay of what I make as a civilian) that I couldn't bring on my family. If you are good in IT, I would recommend seeing a Recruiter and/or a Warrant Officer recruiter before going into the reserves. If you have very little of an IT Background, then going to 25B school in Gordon, will be a great time for you.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 24 at 2017 8:55 AM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Feb 2017 08:55:25 -0500

I'll promote the 25 series all day any day. But don't go Bravo. I made a huge mistake going bravo. You'll never go above E4

Response by SPC Tyler Perry made Feb 24 at 2017 1:09 PM

SPC Tyler Perry — Fri, 24 Feb 2017 13:09:14 -0500

If you want to stay in the IT world make sure you get your certifications before you get out. Look at the job you want and what they want for certs.