Is Air Force Reserves Worth It?

2025-11-13T12:47:15-05:00

Hey everyone question- I have a guy cousin 29 who’s thinking about joining the Air Force reserves specifically, but he wanted to know if it’s worth it. He’s on the fence about joining Air Force reserves or Navy reserves. Since I was active duty I’m not too sure how it really works. Please let me know what y’all’s experience was/is and how it’s going. Thank you! Also he’s a cop between San Antonio and Austin Texas.

Response by COL Randall C. made Nov 13 at 2025 1:51 PM

2025-11-13T13:51:05-05:00

That's a pretty open-ended question because "is it worth it" greatly depends on what he's looking to get out of it.

What does he want to do? Is it available in both services? Does he have a preference in locations? What type of time commitment can he do? What's his view on deployments? Etc.

There are literally hundreds of different questions that could be asked regarding his desires, but it all starts with what his goals are in joining the military reserves.

Put another way, since you were on active duty, what would your answer be to someone that asked "Is joining the Air Force worth it?" You could give an answer off the top of your head about your experience, but that would be your perspective on it being 'worth it', and not his situation.

If he has many different question and really doesn't know, he should start with talking to a recruiter for the Air Force Reserves. No commitment necessary - just gathering information and asking questions.

Response by LTC Trent Klug made Nov 13 at 2025 7:58 PM

2025-11-13T19:58:17-05:00

'Is it worth it' depends on what he's wanting to get out of it. Extra money? Extra time spent on duty, instead of days off? Schools to improve his civilian job too?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 13 at 2025 11:01 PM

2025-11-13T23:01:41-05:00

Here is all I have to say, in this day and age where corporations are dropping health insurance for retirees, doing 20 in any reserve unit will get you health insurance at age 60 and an additional pension as well.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Nov 14 at 2025 10:36 AM

2025-11-14T10:36:45-05:00

Assigning worth or value is not really up to us. It comes down to what your Cousin is wanting to get out of it and what he is willing to put into it. Nobody here can tell you or your cousin whether he needs to serve or not. Or whether he will get anything out of it or enjoy it. That's up to him. Just like anyone serving on AD or the Guard. What he needs to do is speak to recruiters and get a full understanding of the difference between reserves, Army Guard and Air Guard. Weigh the differences against his current lifestyle and see if he thinks it will work. Will the location of his Unit and the commute work with his current home address. What MOS options does he have. Will his workplace give him static with his new role? They shouldn't and there are laws to protect him but he needs to know these things. Does he want to be in that respective Branch of Military? These are all the questions he should be asking because only he can answer them. Not us.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 17 at 2025 11:28 PM

2025-11-17T23:28:39-05:00

Is he thinking of a different career field to experience something different than being a police officer? Both the Navy and Air Force have law enforcement career fields. If he’s thinking exploring something different the Air Force may be the way to go. In the Navy Reserves depending on the career field you don’t actually get hands on training until you’re two week annual training. Example the Sea Bees in my area do not have any equipment and other personnel are assigned to a ship on the other side of the state. With the Air Force you are more then likely on an active duty base not a reserve center and you do your job every drill.

Is it worth it? I guess that depends on the individual and what they want out of it.

Response by SSgt Andy Nguyen made Nov 20 at 2025 1:17 AM

2025-11-20T01:17:57-05:00

This question is subjective. All I can really say is that if he can find the answer to his "Why?" then it is worth it.

Response by A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney made Nov 20 at 2025 8:52 AM

2025-11-20T08:52:20-05:00

If They're Considering Enlisting, Here's Something I Happen To See & Hear While Standing In Line At Our Chow Hall At Little Rock AFB, In Jacksonville, Arkansas -- And If It's Still Possible, I'd Suggest Joining The USAF Reserves 1st, Then Enlisting : There Was A Master Sargent, With 6 Stripes Running Down His Sleeves, Looking To Be In His Early 20's Talking To A Couple Other Enlistees And Here's What I Heard Him Say: (Paraphrased But Accurate) "I Joined The Reserves 1st Because It's Easier To Get Promotions - As You Pass The Tests, Before Long You Have Another Stripe, THEN When You Enlist In The Regulars To Just Have To Give Up 1 Stripe." - Whether Or Not It's Still True Today? - I Don't Know, But It's Worth Looking Into!-

Response by PO1 Susan Holiday made Nov 23 at 2025 8:40 AM

2025-11-23T08:40:43-05:00

No. There's no retirement or anything after 20 years.
It's not worth the years that one gives up.

Response by SGT Lorenzo Nieto made Nov 30 at 2025 7:20 AM

2025-11-30T07:20:14-05:00

Truth be told more than worth it it all depends on how much you’re willing to put into after you enlist