What is life like being in the Navy Reserves?

2016-07-23T18:30:47-04:00

In order to fulfill my 8 year obligation, I will remain in the IRR for three years. I was thinking about becoming FTS or just a drilling reservist during the IRR period. Are the Reserves worth it? I plan on going to school full time and then medical school. I still have a desire to serve, despite being screwed over many times. But I'm just not sure if it's worth it. I still have slightly less than a year as AD.

Response by TSgt Alex Benningfield made Jul 23 at 2016 6:32 PM

2016-07-23T18:32:12-04:00

It can depend. With the reserve you generally get out of it what you put in

Response by CPO Joseph Ruff made Jul 23 at 2016 6:52 PM

2016-07-23T18:52:21-04:00

You can continue to qualify for "good years" toward reserve retirement at age 60 if you drill rather than go IRR. You already have 5 years towards retirement pay and benefits; that's 25% of the way. In my opinion it would be a shame to waste that.

Response by LCDR Gregory Oien made Jul 23 at 2016 7:00 PM

2016-07-23T19:00:07-04:00

I was a FTS officer for nearly 20 years and loved the challenges and opportunities. I worked with some great reservists who had a wide range of units to choose from. As you progress with your education you have an opportunity to move up the ladder. If you need to take a few years off for your medical education they would welcome you back when you have completed it. In total time given to serve you have already served 5 years or over 1,800 days or points towards a great retirement. With one weekend a month and two weeks active per year you will be on your way. Good luck - I hope you give it a shot and have a great ride!

Response by MSG Pat Colby made Jul 23 at 2016 7:20 PM

2016-07-23T19:20:20-04:00

If you do it right, you can make some good connections. The Reserves is a different mindset than AD. Getting into that mindset is tough for some people. I'd say go for it!

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 23 at 2016 8:21 PM

2016-07-23T20:21:55-04:00

Each service's Reserve component is a completely different animal. I see you're Navy, so you want to seek advice from those with experience in the Navy Reserves.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Jul 23 at 2016 8:33 PM

2016-07-23T20:33:29-04:00

My career was Reserve. It was worth it. A few things to understand.
Commitment: Many things missed because people wanted me to "skip" a weekend drill to attend, but I didn't. Yes I missed out on a few things.
Experience: You get out of it what you put in. Also you are dedicated you will get so many more experiences , chances to do things, go places and help people.
Retirement: Yea there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Don't throw away what you have already invested. I was really surprised how much I receive every month from a part time job.

It was worth it to me.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 23 at 2016 8:48 PM

2016-07-23T20:48:00-04:00

Although I never served in the Reserve Component, I did see a handful of reserve units while serving as a recruiter. There are good units and there are bad units. I believe the Reserves are great for someone who wants to continue their service. And just keep in mind, if you want to switch services and go Army Reserve, you will be able to maintain your rank and likely qualify for a bonus. I assume you have the option to join all branches reserve component.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 23 at 2016 9:36 PM

2016-07-23T21:36:40-04:00

HM2, "it depends". Do you want to have to have an active/recent advocate or recommendation? Can you find a Navy Reserve unit that can keep you interested while you finish school? do you intend on applying to USU? If so, I'd recommend that you speak with CPO Bob Wheeler as he used to recruit for USU. As a former USN-R member, you can get out what you put into it. Best of luck to you!

Response by TSgt William Meyer made Jul 23 at 2016 10:06 PM

2016-07-23T22:06:13-04:00

In my career, I've been active duty (Navy), Army Guard and reserve, and Air National Guard ( where I was activated for 3 years and deployed overseas twice) so I agree it is what you put into it. Rank came slow in some units and faster in others, but I have great memories from all. Good luck.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 23 at 2016 10:11 PM

2016-07-23T22:11:54-04:00

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member I commend you for going to school full time and then medical school. I know that you will make the decision that is right for you.

Response by CAPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 24 at 2016 3:55 AM

2016-07-24T03:55:06-04:00

Don't rush into it. Take some time to decide, and analyze why you would want to become a drilling reservist (i.e. financial reasons, sense of purpose, camaraderie, etc.).

If you plan to be a full time student, you will not be able to go FTS. Being a full time student usually limits your availability for annual training (AT), and that can be viewed as a negative (you can usually counter any negative aspects by being fully engaged with DWE activities that are vital to running the unit/enterprise).

If your schooling goes well, and you still intend to go to medical school, being in the reserves can expose you to potential mentors in the medical field. Depending on your rate (which is?) you may even be able to position yourself to gain experience in your targeted career field.

Ultimately, it comes down to attitude. If you have a good attitude, it should be a very rewarding experience. If you have a bad attitude (we've all taken some hits from big Navy at some point in our careers, and how you handle those hits can either set you up or take you down), then it will probably not be a valuable experience.

Response by LTC John Shaw made Jul 24 at 2016 4:46 AM

2016-07-24T04:46:27-04:00

I have 30 years as a Reserve officer and three 12 month deployments roughly 4 years apart each time. I have learned from each deployment opportunity and don't regret any experiences.
You and your family will make sacrifices but you get the benefit of still serving your country and gaining skills.
I have this to be a blessing.

Response by PFC Tuan Trang made Jul 24 at 2016 7:43 AM

2016-07-24T07:43:32-04:00

Formation, PT, Chow, Motorpool, Classroom, Chow, Cleaning detail.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 24 at 2016 7:59 PM

2016-07-24T19:59:58-04:00

Never been on AD but I have been in the Guard for 12 years and now switching to the Reserves. I would say continue to serve and use your skills. Make some side money and still do the things you enjoy. Never know you may say in and get your 20.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 25 at 2016 7:44 AM

2016-07-25T07:44:41-04:00

Doc, It's really up to you if you want to go Reserves.

Honestly, it's not so bad. Given that you are going to school full time, you'll just have one weekend of the month to drill. Your first two months in Reserve will be INDOC but it's just the same thing that is gone over so many times before during GMTs. You also will get time to get yourself set up with a parent command so you can do your AT during the FY (this will be explained). I mean if you want to keep yourself in check with PRTs/BCAs, Exam studying, and get away for 2 weeks out of the year; I'd say do it. Plus with you going to school, you may be able to apply some skill sets that you learned in school through your reserve HM stuff.
The FTS, it's basically you are Active Duty (your benefits and pay) but you are still part of the Reserves but not the SELRES. It was briefly explained to me when I was interested in FTS but my rate isn't really available right now. Talk to a Reserve recruiter and they will give you all the information you need or contact someone via here that is in the Reserves.

It's your career, you do what you feel is necessary for YOU, not the Navy.

Response by LTC Michael Sternfeld made Jul 25 at 2016 11:14 AM

2016-07-25T11:14:48-04:00

Each persons reserve component experience is different in so many respects, but there are similarities. I cannot speak for the USNR or USCGR or USMCR because my career over 32 years was all Army and then Army Reserve. My best general advice is it is what you make it into. There are good drill weekends and Annual Training periods and bad weekends and AT periods. What ever you do dive in whole heartedly and learn the system. Get along with peers, your leaders and subordinates because the Reserve Component is, if nothing else a people oriented military experience.

Response by SPC Kortney Kistler made Jul 25 at 2016 11:40 AM

2016-07-25T11:40:57-04:00

Don't limit yourself to the Navy. Service is service there are plenty of opportunities in other branches. As a Reservist I got to travel the world (not just for deployment either). With the right MOS there are opportunities for short term deployments to take advantage of. Reservists have humanitarian projects on going world wide.

I was an Combat Engineer (heavy equipment operator). There were always places to go and projects to work on. We did a ton of community work as well.

I sometimes think I should have just joined AD Infantry 11B or Combat Engineer 12B, but the experiences I had gained being a Reserve Engineer are irreplaceable. At that same time I was working as a civilian in construction and the two went hand in hand.

It was a huge leg up in the civilian job market from the training and practical experience I got in the Reserves. The things I learned in the civilian world helped complete the missions with ease as well.

It's all good experience.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 25 at 2016 12:14 PM

2016-07-25T12:14:47-04:00

It all depends on your unit, and what you put in. I volunteered for honor guard detail and now i do honor guard on my off days from my civilian job. It's a different world for sure. But it's still a rewarding one.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 25 at 2016 10:10 PM

2016-07-25T22:10:30-04:00

I have joined the reserves and all I can say is, its how you make of if it. There are a lot of opportunities if you so chose to desire them. It is not the same as active by any means. Benefits change when you transition to the reserve component, which you want to think about. If you want to go to school and do other things, then the reserves are for you. Also, you can still do deployments and take billets if you miss the active side.

Response by CDR Michael Goldschmidt made Jul 26 at 2016 8:33 AM

2016-07-26T08:33:29-04:00

If you feel like the Nav screwed you on active duty, none of that's going to change being a reservist, except you'll get paid less and have fewer benefits if you are drilling. USN can still call you to active duty involuntarily, causing you to delay your education and, perhaps, even forfeit your tuition and any scholarships you may have had. Remember, this is still wartime...or conflict time...or whatever the hell the official status is. The bottom line is that you're never completely out until you're completely out. Cut the cord.

Response by CPO Timothy Dyer made Jul 26 at 2016 9:35 AM

2016-07-26T09:35:05-04:00

I had an awesome career. 6 active on a sub, 18 reserve attached to different commands including sea going. As others have said you get out of it what you put into it. You may get called up, you may not. It's what you've signed up for so be aware. Depending on your unit it may be hard work or it may be boring. The pay for a part time job is very good and once you retire you'll be amazed at the pension and benefits. If you intend to go to medical school talk to a recruiter and find out what and when it may get paid for. Good luck!

Response by PO1 Ron Clark made Jul 26 at 2016 9:56 AM

2016-07-26T09:56:06-04:00

Once I got used to the difference between Active duty and Reserve Duty, life became much better service wise. I think you have to know the difference in order to have a successful tour in the Reserves. You have to be able to rise above the Active is better than Reserves mindset that some of our active counterparts have upon meeting a new reservist. Also, I think if you model yourself, the same way your squared-away active brothers and sisters do, then this will help your to transition into the reserves.

Response by PO2 Keith Ruesch made Jul 26 at 2016 10:41 AM

2016-07-26T10:41:32-04:00

I agree with PO2 Ed C.. I was an Aircrewman with VP90 out of NAS Glenview for 10 years (after 6 years on active duty). For the last few years prior to decommissioning, we weren't allowed to "turn on" the aircraft. The main reason I participated in the reserve was to fly. I became quite disillusioned with the reserve and the one hour of travel each way to drill (reservists are responsible for travel to and from). When NAS Glenview "died," so did my reserve participation. I enjoyed most of my time, even though we were considered less capable than the active duty personnel. Travel on ACDUTRA was great.

Response by PO2 Robert Cuminale made Jul 26 at 2016 10:58 AM

2016-07-26T10:58:36-04:00

I was going to stay active but became disgusted with the program and its lack of doable goals. I did reenlist every six years until I had 19 years but only drilled for two years after I'd gotten out after 4 years active duty.
I was a CE2 drilling at the Philadelphia Naval Yard during the Bicentennial Year and we tried to find projects to do that would help our people work in their skill. But we had the same problem as always. The F-N Unions. In the past they wouldn't even allow us to work at a Boy Scout Camp because they claimed we were taking work from them.
Weekend drills were useless even after we moved to Lakehurst NAS. N projects, no materials and little preparation for at least some kind of training. So after I left the area to come back South I didn't bother. After AT&T laid me off I started a business and that was too time consuming.
Over all I think it is a waste of time and money. But I do have three Honorable discharges.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2016 12:28 PM

2016-07-26T12:28:17-04:00

I'll just go ahead and parrot what everyone else here has said: you get back what you put in, and it can be very slow at times. In my unit, during drill, they usually just have our Chief and/or LT come in in the morning to tell us the recent happenings, and whatever needs to be passed down, then send us on our way to complete whatever we need to until chow rolls around. We come back, they get onto whomever decided to skip out early / get back late, then we go back to what we were doing. I don't know what billets they could assign you as an HM, but it is probably more than were available for me as an AB.

The main advice I can give is to be prepared to do everything for yourself (kinda ties into "get back what you put in"). Want a certain unit? Want a certain billet in that unit? Want a collateral duty? Want to go on an AT? Need orders written for that AT? Need a travel claim for that AT? Have pay/paperwork issues? (and trust me, you will). Have a medical issue? (like myself, who was down to have three sickle cell, and two HIV tests this year due to bad filing of paperwork at medical). Everything is up to you to figure out. You (usually) won't have anyone tell you what to do until it gets to the point at which you are so far delinquent that you are at risk of being adsepped, or getting someone above you in trouble.

Response by MSG Gary Saffell made Jul 26 at 2016 2:42 PM

2016-07-26T14:42:09-04:00

PO2 Jones...I see nothing but great things from the responses to your question. I want to "pile on" with the many comments. I have retired many years ago now and am almost daily thanking my good fortune for staying in until I couldn't any more! Started Navy Reserve, served two - two years active, including two Viet Nam tours, and quite a few 2 wk. periods. Made LIC (Lithographer) competing with Active Navy and advanced myself out of a Reserve position. Transferred to Army Reserve and ended up serving in Desert Storm and retiring as MSG after 30 yrs service. Fantastic experience of seeing and doing things a non-military person would never have a chance to see or do, including the relationships of those we serve with. What turned out to be the best blessing is the TriCare medical insurance we receive. AWESOME benefit for all those times away from home and family.

Response by LT Michael Watson made Jul 26 at 2016 3:08 PM

2016-07-26T15:08:04-04:00

I can say from experience that being in the reserves is a worthwhile endeavor. I still look back and think that I sacrificed continuing to serve for the sake of family and career, channeling the lessons learned from AD and Reserves into both, but missing the camaraderie that came with being part of the Reserves. My friends from that time are still my friends, and many are just now beginning to collect that coveted retirement chit.

It is what you make of it, and there are times that are better than others. You have to make your own decision, but are wise to seek the counsel of others. I know that, though I left the reserves after 10 years, I still take pride in saying "I served in the USNavy"!

Response by SSgt Jason Sanchez made Jul 26 at 2016 6:29 PM

2016-07-26T18:29:25-04:00

It's what you make of it. I did 5 yrs active duty on subs. Got out, spent 4 yrs Navy reserves. My unit shut down. Transferred to the AF reserves. It's a great way to get an extra retirement

Response by SSG Brian Hall made Jul 26 at 2016 6:53 PM

2016-07-26T18:53:35-04:00

As an E-6, $245 in 2 days a month is worth it to me. Higher ranks get even more. There's no pay in the VTU but you can stack up on retirement points.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2016 9:13 PM

2016-07-26T21:13:50-04:00

That's an excellent question ... Why wouldn't you should be the answer ... That being said, the time in the reserves is worth it but is also measured by what you put in yo continue to serve. Good luck with your future endeavors.

EN1

Response by SCPO Frank Carson made Jul 26 at 2016 11:06 PM

2016-07-26T23:06:47-04:00

Join the Reserve. I had a great time in the Reserve, but depending what unit you get into it could be very boring. Avoid Reserve Centers at all cost. If you are close to a Navy base great. You will continue toward retirement, 8 years is more than a third of the way there. Stay Navy! I loved the Reserve, 4000 C-130 hours as aircrew, played golf in 12 countries. Visited 71 countries. All Reserve Time...

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2016 11:17 PM

2016-07-26T23:17:53-04:00

FTS is a good program you get paid active with all benefits of active duty and you spend the majority of your time in the states a few commands are the exception but you would have plenty of time for school and stay active taking advantage of TA. There are also conditional release programs to leave with the promise on coming back as an officer in your field your NC should have info on those programs.

Response by LT Don Jaffa made Jul 27 at 2016 12:54 AM

2016-07-27T00:54:20-04:00

The medical field is one area that is wide open in the military services, and the options are many and varied. One of the Navy medics here at the 29 Palms base transitioned from duty with USMC to the Navy Hospital in NAS Sigonellla. At NAS Sigonella he has the opportunity to combine taking colllege classes at night, and getting to see some of Europe. The first 4 years of active duty are always the sharp end of the stick. Time in Service and Time in Grade eventually provide some advantages. In the Medical field it means getting opportunities for advance training, and additional qualifiers added to the MOS. There is a decision point down the line depending on how well you do in your college classes. You can apply for medical school under the DOD program and do another eight years as an MD in the Military... or go on to a medical school and stay in the . reserves and do extended active duty for training in military faciilities during the summers, and when you graduate, take a commission in the Navy as an MD and continue on until mandatory retirement from the reserves. At the same time, you can take a DOD civilian position with the milirtary and double dip... and now there is no mandatory retirement from civil service medical field. There are DOD medical facilities all over the world if oyu got itchy feet. The Navy hospital in naples italy is a primo tour.l

Response by PO1 Michael Bruner made Jul 27 at 2016 8:58 AM

2016-07-27T08:58:20-04:00

I was 8 years active duty Navy, 6 reserve. When I was in the Reserves, I drilled out of Honolulu. A big problem we had was it seemed like the folks at the Makalapa Medical Clinic & the Pearl Harbor Shipyard Hospital couldn't get their act together when it came to Reservists' medical records. The Oahu-based reserve units spent more than half their drill weekends having to go and get immunized, blood drawn & a dental exam. On top of that, PSD wasn't friendly toward Reservists, either. They had this general attitude that all Reservists, regardless of pay grade, were rich, which, in Hawaii, couldn't be further from the truth. So, the DKs would sit on processing pay after a sailor finished their 2-week AT (Annual Training). There were kids in my unit who waited up to a year sometimes to get that AT pay. With all that said, being in the Navy Reserve was one of the greatest professional training experiences in my life.

Response by PO2 Adam Schiraldi made Jul 27 at 2016 3:10 PM

2016-07-27T15:10:22-04:00

I really loved the Reserves. Although Alot has to do with your unit and your Reserve Center. You can't beat the additional income too.

Response by CPO james A. Redd Jr made Jul 27 at 2016 6:56 PM

2016-07-27T18:56:22-04:00

It really depends on what unit/ship/station you get. I got off active duty in 80, went to school on the old Nam Vets G I Bill (great money in the 70s and 80s!). I went back to drilling status after my to be wife got pregnant. Got sent to SIMA unit and had a good time. When a SPEC WAR Det opened up at my RESCEN I jumped at the chance (Always wanted to be a SEAL). Because I was so involved and loved what I was doing I would literally drive 700 miles round trip from AZ to Pt Mugo air base where our facility was. I also was CAPed and made chief after cross rating from BT to BM in my first board attempt. To reiterate, It depends on you and what you put back into it, and What you want to do in the reserves.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 28 at 2016 12:39 AM

2016-07-28T00:39:54-04:00

I met a retired LtCol today that was in the guard. He won't collect his retirement until he is 60. I would suspect that once he reaches that age, he will totally think that the time he spent was worth it. I've never met a single retiree that didn't think the time the served wasn't worth it.

Response by CAPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 28 at 2016 1:11 PM

2016-07-28T13:11:25-04:00

Doc, I've seen a lot of pluses and minuses listed below. I can only comment on my 10 years of reserve experience (so far). I did 12 years on active duty if you could all of it (Enlisted time, Naval Academy, post Naval Academy commissioned service). Here are some things to note about being a drilling reservist (I can't comment too much on FTS). Currently when you affiliate right off of active duty, you are waived from involuntary recall for 2 years. This will give quite a bit of time to both acclimatize to the civilian sector and do things like, go to school, find a job. And, after that 2 years is up, there is no guarantee you'll be called up ever, but yes, it is a possibility. Right now involuntary callups are way down from what they were when I affiliated in 2006 (you can imagine there was a lot going on back then). So, as it stands, I do about 36-40 total days of work in a year for the Navy (24 days of drills (12 weekends) and 12-16 days (on average) of Annual Training). How much extra work you do beyond that is mostly up to you. Lots of people in the Reserves are full time students and use a combination of the GI Bill and their reserve pay for their finances. People do extra sets of orders on their down times (between semesters) to make a little extra money. There is plenty of opportunity and plenty of flexibility (usually). CDR Goldschmidt below seemed a bit more pessimistic about it. Of course, he also left the reserves right in the middle of our heavy times (2006) which is right when I affiliated. It wasn't so bad back though.

Response by CPO Lisa Wood made Aug 7 at 2016 7:48 PM

2016-08-07T19:48:00-04:00

Depends if you want to give up one weekend a month and two weeks a year, with pay. PRT is still twice per year.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Jun 25 at 2023 12:25 AM

2023-06-25T00:25:45-04:00

Hey, PO2 Donald Jones, was wondering, what did you do??