Which is the better job?

Jo Williams — Thu, 25 Jul 2019 00:14:10 -0400

I am going to join the reserves and was thinking which job would be the best job. I am torn between MA and firefighter. I currently work in the medical field and would like to know from others in those fields and the reserves. Which one would be better to go into being that when I join, I plan on retiring from it.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 25 at 2019 1:34 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Jul 2019 01:34:46 -0400

Are you aware that you don't retire from the Reserves in the same sense that you retire from Active Duty? In the Active Duty you complete 20 years, retire, and draw an annuity immediately upon retirement. In the reserves you work one weekend a month and two weeks a year (not counting deployments), accrue points for retirement, and draw a retirement once you're in your 60s. When you say, "Retire from..." I don't want you to be misinformed with your future financial planning. Your primary job and financial support will come from your current civilian employment, with your RC mostly covering your benefits, health care, and some excellent tuition assistance resources.

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made Jul 25 at 2019 8:16 AM

CW4 Craig Urban — Thu, 25 Jul 2019 08:16:52 -0400

Fire or police

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 25 at 2019 9:17 AM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Jul 2019 09:17:43 -0400

For the USAR side I would choose something different. FF units are fun but you really don't do too much on a BA weekend. I was in one for a small stint. It can be fun at times but in the end it seems like a waste. As for MA no clue on that one. My suggestion is look at what you do for a civilian job and see what MOS is closest to it and choose that one. That way you will be ahead of the curve in your skill set development.

Response by LtCol Robert Quinter made Jul 26 at 2019 10:00 PM

LtCol Robert Quinter — Fri, 26 Jul 2019 22:00:58 -0400

One thought, if you work in a medical field as a civilian, you may be able to network with the other medical personnel in the reserves to gain a more lucrative or acceptable job in the civilian sector.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 6 at 2019 4:50 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 06 Aug 2019 16:50:38 -0400

Go Air Force, you won’t regret it. Lol.