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Or the National Guard? Whether you already left or will sooner or later leave active duty, why did you, or will you, not join the Reserves?
If you did join the Reserves, what led you to that decision and how has your experience been? How has it changed your perspective? What would you advise others to do in a similar situation?
If you did join the Reserves, what led you to that decision and how has your experience been? How has it changed your perspective? What would you advise others to do in a similar situation?
ETS/EAS
Reserves
Transition
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 7
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I am a Reservist -- currently AGR but most of my career has been a traditional drilling reservist. I've liked the freedom that it offered me to select my assignments as well as my boss. You can transfer most any time if you wanted to, and since you're interviewing with the unit that's taking you, they essentially are interviewing for your service, as well. This has helped me grow and excel, since I chose to follow a fairly traditional AC career path, I could select positions and leaders who would challenge me but also appreciate where I was in my career at that time period.
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LTC (Join to see)
LTC (Join to see), I think many active duty SMs probably don't know about the freedom to move between units in the Reserves, especially for officers. Transferring is more centrally-controlled in the Navy and Coast Guard, I think, but it is still a major selling-point.
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LTC (Join to see)
Agree with MAJ Numerick, you have a lot more control over your career in the Reserves. I would also add that it is easier to EXCEL in the Reserves. Why? Due to the simple fact that a large portion of Reservists do not spend the time outside of BA to know their profession (MDMP, the latest updates in doctrine, various PME opportunities, physical fitness, etc). I think an "average" situation awareness of one's career in the active component will translate to an above average or excellent knowledge base in the Reserves. (I am AGR and have always been in the Reserves, btw).
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SSG John Erny
MAJ Peter Stebbing, sir,
I have been on both sides of the fence. When I got in the Nebraska Guards after serving in the 82nd (Airborne) I was blown away by lack of professionalism. The 1sgt introduced him self as Matt! We were going to the range for qual an he said you OK with shootin', My jaw about hit the floor. During AT a lot of guys had a bottle in their ruck.
I got used to it and assimilated some what. We then were assigned and Active army Advisor(s) and things got better a lot better. The NCO Schools were assigned and Active Duty CSM, after that it was as good as any Active School, in fact Ft. Reily sends active soldiers to our School now. This Change took about 8 years, by the time 911 happened we were pretty sharp and a damn fine truck company. The way things are now with AKO handing out the same training to Every One I think it will get even better.
The Party days are gone, the last 3 AT's I went to were dry, even on the MWR day. I have seen Active units (truck Company) from Ft. Carson that were ate up, we were far better trained. I saluted a butter bar from the 4th ID and she gave me half assed salute back and said "how ya doin'" you the guy that fixes computers. I was offended but what can an E-6 say to a 2 LT I guess in some ways there has been a 180 degree shift.
I have been on both sides of the fence. When I got in the Nebraska Guards after serving in the 82nd (Airborne) I was blown away by lack of professionalism. The 1sgt introduced him self as Matt! We were going to the range for qual an he said you OK with shootin', My jaw about hit the floor. During AT a lot of guys had a bottle in their ruck.
I got used to it and assimilated some what. We then were assigned and Active army Advisor(s) and things got better a lot better. The NCO Schools were assigned and Active Duty CSM, after that it was as good as any Active School, in fact Ft. Reily sends active soldiers to our School now. This Change took about 8 years, by the time 911 happened we were pretty sharp and a damn fine truck company. The way things are now with AKO handing out the same training to Every One I think it will get even better.
The Party days are gone, the last 3 AT's I went to were dry, even on the MWR day. I have seen Active units (truck Company) from Ft. Carson that were ate up, we were far better trained. I saluted a butter bar from the 4th ID and she gave me half assed salute back and said "how ya doin'" you the guy that fixes computers. I was offended but what can an E-6 say to a 2 LT I guess in some ways there has been a 180 degree shift.
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I joined the Marine Corps in 1994, went to MCRD Parris Island in Jan of '95 and spent my active duty time as an infantry Marine until I was injured and swallowed up by the RIF shortly thereafter. I didn't want out, had no idea what to do, and had no option to stay on even as a reservist.
After using my GI Bill to pay for nursing school (and an 11 year break in service) I decided that I needed to get back to serving my country as I had intended to do so many years ago. I love the Marine Corps, but I knew that my best contributions would now be through healing, not shooting. As a civilian flight nurse I have spent all of my career focused on critical care, trauma, and seriously unstable patient populations... I felt that as a reservist I could continue to get the best training and experience (nursing wise) on the civilian side. Then I can use that training and experience to help move wounded Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines from the point of injury back to their home. I also got the opportunity to learn and share some cutting edge trauma care from Camp Bastion to my civilian counterparts. It's really the best of both worlds for me.
I will say that the jarhead in me does sometimes get frustrated by the difference in military bearing between AD line units and reservist medical air wing folks, haha.
After using my GI Bill to pay for nursing school (and an 11 year break in service) I decided that I needed to get back to serving my country as I had intended to do so many years ago. I love the Marine Corps, but I knew that my best contributions would now be through healing, not shooting. As a civilian flight nurse I have spent all of my career focused on critical care, trauma, and seriously unstable patient populations... I felt that as a reservist I could continue to get the best training and experience (nursing wise) on the civilian side. Then I can use that training and experience to help move wounded Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines from the point of injury back to their home. I also got the opportunity to learn and share some cutting edge trauma care from Camp Bastion to my civilian counterparts. It's really the best of both worlds for me.
I will say that the jarhead in me does sometimes get frustrated by the difference in military bearing between AD line units and reservist medical air wing folks, haha.
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LTC (Join to see)
That is one of the chief advantages of Reserve duty; people of all different rank and position bring great skills from outside the military. Thanks for doing what you do, Capt (Join to see)!
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Joining the National Guard or Reserve after serving on active duty is one option out of many that departing individuals should consider. I recommend that departing Soldiers use an MDMP type process to help themselves work through the transition process:
1. Receive mission (decision to depart the active force either through ETS or retirement).
2. Mission analysis (properly analyze their personal and professional situation).
3. COA Development (post military employment and location options).
4. COA Analysis (wargame the COAs based upon personal and professional criteria).
5. COA Comparison (evaluate the COAs bringing spouse and kids into the process).
6. COA Approval (decide on a COA).
7. Order Production (put the meat onto the decided COA so as to make it executable).
1. Receive mission (decision to depart the active force either through ETS or retirement).
2. Mission analysis (properly analyze their personal and professional situation).
3. COA Development (post military employment and location options).
4. COA Analysis (wargame the COAs based upon personal and professional criteria).
5. COA Comparison (evaluate the COAs bringing spouse and kids into the process).
6. COA Approval (decide on a COA).
7. Order Production (put the meat onto the decided COA so as to make it executable).
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LTC (Join to see), it wasn't an option for me because I retired (30 years active duty), but I think your question is an excellent one. And I mean no disrespect to the Reserves or National Guard, but I think they would only get stronger and better with more folks joining up after leaving active duty. The former active duty troops would bring experiences and strengths that would at a minimum contribute meaningfully to the Reserves or National Guard.
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I started out in the reserves as a 92A. After my first deployment, I changed to active duty. I will have to admit, I enjoyed the reserves more for one simple reason, you stayed with the same members in you chain of command longer. This build a stronger relation with NCO, officers, soldiers.
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LTC (Join to see)
I agree in part. Greater longevity in a unit, peculiar to Reserve units, means that you can build and maintain those teams longer. This can make policy implementation easier and operations more efficient; you know who you're dealing with. The down-side is that people get comfortable, there are no ideas, and if a unit has a poor culture it can be very hard to change.
I think the Reserves would benefit from a study of the utility of forced transfers, like the active duty PCS.
I think the Reserves would benefit from a study of the utility of forced transfers, like the active duty PCS.
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Looking into joining the reserves after I finish my current obligation, but the reserve recruiter does not return my emails. When I did talk to him, he seemed slightly confused that I didn't want the extra money with extra service obligation the reserves would offer me for going to medical school when I could just use my GI Bill.
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SGT Kristin Wiley
LTC (Join to see)
Sir, I understand the importance of retirement. I have had a Thrift Savings Plan and a Roth IRA since 18 for this purpose. However, my retirement means very little if I cannot enjoy the work I do.
LTC (Join to see)
Sir,
What type of commission I recieve means very little to me. I could work in my current specialty or my future one. I just want to know what my options are for commissioning if/when I transitiion to the reserves.
Sir, I understand the importance of retirement. I have had a Thrift Savings Plan and a Roth IRA since 18 for this purpose. However, my retirement means very little if I cannot enjoy the work I do.
LTC (Join to see)
Sir,
What type of commission I recieve means very little to me. I could work in my current specialty or my future one. I just want to know what my options are for commissioning if/when I transitiion to the reserves.
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LTC (Join to see)
SGT Kristin Wiley, you have three options: Direct commission, ROTC, and OCS. What will be your deciding factor between those options? Service commitment, time-investment, funding for education, professional development, something else?
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LTC (Join to see)
SGT Wiley, as far as retirement, sounds like you are on the right track, which is not a common occurrence amongst the youth. I think I went off topic, so I'll move on. Commissioning: there are three options: ROTC, Direct Commission and OCS. If you have a bachelors (which you do) it might be easier and quicker to get a DC. As for which branch, I had a quick discussion w/ the special missions NCOIC here (they are the ones who do DC's). Some ideas were to DC in a branch that have a lot of slots (eg AG) and then branch transfer to AMED once your education is complete. DC's are limited in number and are likely to decrease and the requirements for the # of Officers go down. Obviously an AMMED recruiter would have more detailed info on scholarships etc.
(Wups, looks like Ryan beat me to it! I'll leave my post even if it does look repetitive)
(Wups, looks like Ryan beat me to it! I'll leave my post even if it does look repetitive)
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SFC (Join to see)
SGT Wiley, if you are still needing to talk with a Career Counselor, send me a message. The counselors in Hawaii are in my BN and I can get you a good contact number for someone.
SFC Golden
SFC Golden
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I almost joined the Navy Reserves after I got out during my IRR time. I didn't mainly because I wanted to focus on college so that I wouldn't leave my degree half finished. Another reason was the recruiter told me I would be coming back as an E-3 and a 2 pay grade demotion was hard to swallow. Now that I've graduated college I am working on getting back into shape so that I can re affiliate with the military. Desk jobs and family life are not easy on the mid section.
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