Should I switch from Army Reserves to Active Duty if I have a good job as a gov't civilian?

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 20 Mar 2022 20:09:07 -0400

I have been 6 years in the reserves, just commissioned from OCS last September. I am a GG11, working towards a GG12. Despite a good civilian job, I am unsatisfied with the reserves and, to a lesser extent, with my civilian job. When I've been on orders I have loved it and I feel more gratified being in the service than not. Would love some advice from the community from those who made the switch from reserves to active or anyone who has experience on this topic. Thank you.

Response by CPT Gurinder (Gene) Rana made Mar 21 at 2022 9:59 AM

CPT Gurinder (Gene) Rana — Mon, 21 Mar 2022 09:59:25 -0400

Good question. The answer is never give up your stable career; Reserves is a part-time opportunity. The active duty in support of the Reserves (AGR) is not the same as Regular Active Duty at all and there is a lot more backstabbing in the AGR. It is not what you are capable of achieving or what you have achieved in the AGR, but whom you know in high places that can ensure your advancement even when you screw up. Be careful with what you choose.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Mar 21 at 2022 10:11 AM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Mon, 21 Mar 2022 10:11:46 -0400

I would recommend looking at all of your options before locking into AD. You have a significant about of time already invested to the reserves. If you want something different you could entertain switching up your Gov job. You could apply to something like State Dept or one of the 3 letter agencies or law enforcement agencies. FBI, Marshal, DSS, etc. You can have a cool day job while still moving forward with your Reserve job.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 21 at 2022 11:22 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 21 Mar 2022 11:22:59 -0400

Have you thought about changing Reserve units, at least these days you can. When I was a mil tech you had to be in the same unit you worked for.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 21 at 2022 12:08 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 21 Mar 2022 12:08:09 -0400

Only you really know what the right decision is. But I would look into other federal jobs and maybe a different Reserve or Guard unit. SSgt Christophe Murphy made some great suggestions on agencies. You could also inquire about the possibly of AGR slots and if they would work for you. If you aren’t opposed to moving it may open up some opportunities. After you exhaust all those avenues then maybe approach the idea of Active Duty.

Good Luck in your career.
Curt

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Mar 21 at 2022 12:13 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Mon, 21 Mar 2022 12:13:11 -0400

Determine your long-term life goals--where do you want to be 10 and 20 years from now in terms of finances, relationships, health. What job options best support reaching those goals. As I see it, your current situation looks good financially. If you stick with the reserves and gov't civilian jobs, you'll make a good salary supplemented by your reserve pay. When you reach your 60s you'll have federal employee retirement, plus military retirement, plus (maybe) social security. Add to that whatever you've socked away in your military and civilian TSPs, then you're in good financial position.

Health wise, I'm guessing you're are paying for federal civilian health insurance. I've been a private and public sector civilian employee. The federal health insurance programs are competitive with the private insurance programs. As an active duty military member, you will have "free" health care. But, it's not what it once was. The military doesn't have the extensive network of specialists it had when doctors were drafted. In some cases you'll be treated "downtown" under TRICARE. This isn't always as free as you might expect. A plus on the military side: prescription drugs and some OTC drugs are truly free.

Relationships. This is an area only you can address completely. I will say my experience leads me to believe it's easier to maintain long-term relationships as a civilian employee.

Think it over carefully. I loved active duty Air Force life as a pilot. My wife and two of three kids loved the military.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 21 at 2022 12:19 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 21 Mar 2022 12:19:05 -0400

I would recommend putting an AGR packet, as going Regular Army may be more difficult. If you don’t know where to find the application, it’s on the HRC website. If you want, I can send you the link to your army.mil.

Response by Maj Janice Ivery made Mar 21 at 2022 1:55 PM

Maj Janice Ivery — Mon, 21 Mar 2022 13:55:21 -0400

If you enjoy active duty and the opportunity exists and family obligations permit the move. DO IT. If you remain in the reserves and retire as a reservist you will not receive retired pay until age 60. If you retire from active duty you will receive retired pay at the time of 20 years service. Consider your age and time in service. I retired in 2006 from the reserves and did not receive a penny of retirement until 2021 when I turned 60 years old. Ivery, USAF, Retired Major

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 21 at 2022 4:15 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 21 Mar 2022 16:15:45 -0400

I’d stay put if in your shoes, especially if you can keep moving up the ladder. If you can get GG15 or SES you’ll be primed for consulting after you retire. And you’ll draw two pensions + social security after your working years are over.

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Mar 22 at 2022 12:26 PM

CPT Lawrence Cable — Tue, 22 Mar 2022 12:26:17 -0400

You know the current Military Pay Scale, so depending where you are in that GS11 progression, your salary should be close to the same, especially after going to 0-2 with 6 years. The BAS and BAH would more than make up the rest. If you really enjoyed what you are doing in the Army, there probably isn't a financial downside to it.
I would point out that Officers are up or out. That usually isn't a factor until you start bumping up against Major. About the shortest time realistically from O-1 to O-4 is around ten years, and you will need over 14 years for an Active Duty retirement.

Response by SFC Rodney Platt made May 29 at 2022 6:54 PM

SFC Rodney Platt — Sun, 29 May 2022 18:54:23 -0400

You can go active duty and get the rush out of your system. The civilian job will be there for you. I completed 20 years ad then got a nice civilian job. I just retired for the second time as a GS13