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I'm about to leave active duty and trasition back into civilian life, but it doesn't really end there, does it? I'm trying to set myself up with a PMC right now, but I'm sort of wondering if I should try given I have no real information about how inactive duty even works. If I do get onboard with a PMC, would they end up turning me away because of my contact? Can I even leave the US? Do I still need to get haircuts weekly? Haha I honestly have no clue what's about to happen to me. I'd ask my command (and probably still will), but they'rer pretty busy trying to get people to re-up right now haha. I've been training so much lately I've hardly had time to do my TRS prework. This community is so awesome that it has helped me learn more about the military in the year I've been on it than the entire four years I've been in the infantry. Any answers provided would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
Recruiting
Transition
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 16
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Are you already in the discharge process? If it isn't too late, don't get out. The job market and the economy sucks right now. Stay in, you have a job right now. Perhaps things will improve in the next couple of years but now isn't the right time to test the waters.
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PO2 Nick Burke
SSG Pete Fleming
As someone on the outside with marketable job skills..
I have to disagree. I've had multiple attempts from other places to hire me away.
As someone on the outside with marketable job skills..
I have to disagree. I've had multiple attempts from other places to hire me away.
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PO2 Nick Burke
SSG Pete Fleming
Compared to when? Where?
Lowest unemployment in decades. Record low unemployment rates for minorities. Positive growth every month.
Compared to when? Where?
Lowest unemployment in decades. Record low unemployment rates for minorities. Positive growth every month.
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SFC Mark Caswell
Not to be a Butthead, but if you have had multiple attempts to hire you away, wouldn't that mean the job market is good, and at least jobs with your skill set are available ?
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Inactive Reserve status doesn't mean a whole lot. Basically it's a way for the government to increase numbers of personnel should an emergency arise. I allows them to fill needed positions with people who have already gone through military training rather than trying to increase manning numbers through new recruits who will of course need to go through boot camp, specialty training, etc.
Right now at most you may be called in for a muster occasionally. Musters are usually just information events. They have you come in, make sure all of your contact info and what not is up to date and give you information on job openings and things like that. If you get a muster notification it's essential to at least get a hold of someone. You can miss a muster if you have a good reason, however, if you skip them continuously without notifying anyone you could lose your VA benefits, I.E. your GI Bill.
Otherwise there is no restrictions placed on you. You can travel if you want, just explain that you are away if they muster you while you are on vacation. You can grow your hair out, grow a beard, get fat. You are a civilian so you don't have to follow military regulations such as appearance and what not. The only affects appearance changes will have is if they decide to actually call you back to service and you are overweight or have excessive tattoos they may just thank you for showing up and let you go.
Everything should be explained to you in time in regards to what Inactive Reserve status means for you. It's nothing to really be too concerned about though.
Right now at most you may be called in for a muster occasionally. Musters are usually just information events. They have you come in, make sure all of your contact info and what not is up to date and give you information on job openings and things like that. If you get a muster notification it's essential to at least get a hold of someone. You can miss a muster if you have a good reason, however, if you skip them continuously without notifying anyone you could lose your VA benefits, I.E. your GI Bill.
Otherwise there is no restrictions placed on you. You can travel if you want, just explain that you are away if they muster you while you are on vacation. You can grow your hair out, grow a beard, get fat. You are a civilian so you don't have to follow military regulations such as appearance and what not. The only affects appearance changes will have is if they decide to actually call you back to service and you are overweight or have excessive tattoos they may just thank you for showing up and let you go.
Everything should be explained to you in time in regards to what Inactive Reserve status means for you. It's nothing to really be too concerned about though.
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Yeah Inactive means you've got almost all the perks of being in the military without any of the drama. No haircuts. No shaving. No PFT/CFT, height/weight, all hands urinalysis, safety standdown powerpoint classes. You're "free". You can still shop at the exchange and commissary. You can still utilize base facilities if you live near a base. Like it's been said, you're just technically attached to someone in the off chance it hits the fan and we have to be activated. So enjoy yourself.
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SSgt Paul Parish
I had none of those bennies when I got out in ‘74, and had two years inactive reserve. At least nobody ever told me I did.
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Sgt Dale Briggs
PO3 Bob McCord - ugh that would have been a first rate bummer right there. I missed Nam by a few years, much respect I bet Nam was a first rate shit show, you earned your way in life. My Uncle Tony was like really short like 7 days short when the war in Europe exploded, he was kept for the duration, and was killed in Sicily. Talk about shitty luck.
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Sgt Dale Briggs
PO3 Bob McCord - ugh 3-4 tours that’s inhuman. I didn’t know they volunteered anyone to stay longer than 13 months, I mean if they did that a lot why count days and you don’t have the pleasure of being super short, or knowing your short. . Gotta be bad for the mind unless your MOS was so critical they couldn’t live without you, even then what would you care, I’d just want out.
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Sgt Dale Briggs
I had two guy I worked with in the 80s, one I thought he was a gunner on a boat that ran SF guys Seals up the rivers for their missions. They were ambushed and the boat hit my small arms and rocket fire, blew him out of the boat. The other was a Submariner, I couldn't do the Navy, I don’t like boats, open water, or cramped spaces.
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I was IRR. Didn't do much of anything. I was pretty much a civilian...then Desert Sword/Storm happened. While the US committed huge forces to Kuwait; the military needed to maintain a force for the rest of their obligations. The US Government start calling back to active duty military members that had been EAS for several years. All of these members were IRR. I got out in May and by January I was in Camp Pendleton for 44 days. The US had never done this before and it showed. It was a complete cluster.
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SGT John Ball
I definitely remember all the National Guard that was at Fort Lewis during that time. You could tell the difference between an AD and Guard Soldier because it was pretty obvious. However, I did talk with some of them and were surprised to be called up. Yes, it was a cluster and it showed.
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Start by concentrating on your education, because most individuals that get out (individual once your are out), wait to long to apply for education and soon get trap into life, best to get trap into educating so that you can have a life.
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LCpl (Join to see)
Thank you for the concern, but my mind would be somewhere completely elsewhere if I just went to college. Also, I'm 25 and I'm already not very competive anymore haha. Best to stick to the skill set I have here
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PO2 Nick Burke
LCpl (Join to see)
You talked about security gigs... Those are the skills you can get training in. Criminal Justice, Management ect. You can even do so while working. There are also training certificates that will allow you to demand more money and increase advancement opportunities.
You talked about security gigs... Those are the skills you can get training in. Criminal Justice, Management ect. You can even do so while working. There are also training certificates that will allow you to demand more money and increase advancement opportunities.
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PO1 John Miller
LCpl (Join to see)
If you mean something like a Security Contractor with Blackwater (or whatever they're called these days) you shouldn't have any problems. I knew of a Marine who was IRR and was doing that type of work.
If you mean something like a Security Contractor with Blackwater (or whatever they're called these days) you shouldn't have any problems. I knew of a Marine who was IRR and was doing that type of work.
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Well the first thing that came to my mind upon reading your post is, 'if you like it so much...why leave it?'
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LCpl (Join to see)
Haha I was specifically talking about RP, but I joined for combat and spent four years LARPing combat instead. I'd rather take my chances somewhere else.
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While I’d suggest staying in. If your going trump become a contractor you follow whatever rules they have
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I spent a short time in IRR after leaving AD and prior to enlisting in the reserves. I got one of those old school green ID cards that said Reserve on it, it alloweded me access to the base gym...that is about it (we are talking '06). In short, you do not have to worry about a hair cut or anything like that. They informed me of a muster but i did not go...never heard a thing about not going. Basically you are subject to recall to AD if poop hits the fan in world events, they would hit up IRR prior to going to the draft. Aside from keeping your info up to date, no restrictions. If you want to travel Europe, Asia or wherever they cannot stop you, no leave paperwork required once you separate from AD.
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