What are the benefits of going from Active Duty to Reserves?

When you are 6 months from ETS you go see the RCCC. They'll give you the brief about the benefits and that's when you can contract with them. The day after your ETS your RC contract starts.

You also might consider the National Guard.

OK so one item I would mention and hopefully I don't get ripped on for being truthful here. You also have to consider what your plans are when your going to get out. Are you going to college full time? Part time college? Going for a practical trade? Reason I asked is because both National Guard and USAR drills ARE a sacrifice and a fairly large infringement on your personal life. You may not see that now because your Active Duty and one weekend a month probably seems minimal to you. I can tell you from long ago past experience both the USAR and NG are not very organized at long-term planning. They can slide those drill dates all over the calendar on you and sometimes even at the last minute the week of you get a call at home from your unit admin.......guess what, even though you have plans already you have guard drill or USAR drill this weekend because the CO thought it would be best to have it this weekend then one weekend two weeks later. It happens a lot. Exam week in college.........oh gee you have a 4 day drill weekend....oops!. Summer vacation or summer job............"hey did we tell you our Annual Training this year is 3 weeks instead of 2 weeks?" So keep that in mind. If your really flexible and laid back and that kind of thing does not bother you then proceed but also keep in mind you'll be facing those interruptions as long as your enlistment lasts. Other setbacks abound as well "Well we really can't promote you now because we don't have a slot, however if your willing to drive 4 hours across the state there is a nice guard unit there which.....". Or one of my favorites which happened to my Nephew...."I know you enlisted 11B but we are overstrength with 11B's so even though you just graduated OSUT you need to pick a new MOS and we need to send you to another AIT". Now that last one as you know is very rare and happened at the time when the state was realigning it's Infantry units to support units which only happens maybe once a half century.......but it did happen.

I think it truly depends on what your career aspirations are. It also depends on where you land a civilian job too. You also might want to consider the National Guard - you just have to compare the benefits of each. You should receive a brief from the RCCC once you get closer to your ETS date but definitely consider all of your options before making the final decision.

If you are going into the Reserves try and get a RFX unit. Depending on your MOS and the needs you could get a decent bonus.
The main benefit if you plan on staying in the reserves until retirement is building on 2 retirements (military and civillian) at the same time.

Talk with the ARCC, they'll present you with all the options. If you are going to re-enlist, as about a bonus. If they don't offer a bonus, go to the IRR. They will offer you a bonus to go from the IRR to the Reserves.

What was said is true BUT listen closely to how the Reserves might benefit you. When you’re still 6 months out, you have the option of re-enlisting. Consider changing MOS’s if you can because coming back to Active Duty is VERY hard once you’re in the Reserves. Just food for thought. Good luck though.

Also since you will be going into the IRR you can always join a reserve unit without signing another contract since you would have 4 or more depending what your contract looks like for IRR time. I tell everyone that is coming off Active to just try the reserves if you are in the IRR because it isn't the easiest coming from Active Duty I know it wasn't for me and a lot of others.

Like a few others have said, do your 4 years of irr and use your benefits to go to school. After you're done with school if you still desire to be in the military reenlist. Do your schooling first though because drills are very intrusive on your life and the dates change multiple times. Sometimes weekly.

I would be mindful about joining the NG depending on what state you are in. I am in California and the Guard is called on often as we are in a constant state of burning/emergency. Your employer may or may not be forgiving so weigh your options. I agree with multiple posts on here. Look at what your career goals are and see what benefits you best. Coming back in as an officer would be a great way to go and may allow you to crosstrain for your civilian career.