Active to Reserves...any advice?

2015-10-06T15:57:54-04:00

Hey guys, I'm AT3 Mackenzie I'll be transitioning to the Reserves in JUL2016 as I just got CWAY Approved for SELRES. I'm from Plymouth, MA so I will be with you all in Quincy come that time. Anyone have any advice for me? Thanks in advance for the help!

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 6 at 2015 4:13 PM

2015-10-06T16:13:39-04:00

Honestly, even though I am clearly not Navy, the best plan to make is to contact whichever Reserve unit you will be heading to. Contact them and ask what the monthly training assemblies are like (in general). This may be your best bet since every Reservist has different expectations/reactions and opinions/results from the next Reservist. But, that is just my opinion.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Oct 6 at 2015 6:30 PM

2015-10-06T18:30:31-04:00

The "management" in the Reserves has some different priorities than on the active side. I got to experience both. It is driven by two different shopping lists for the IG's that come and go. "Readiness" is looked at differently as resources to obtain that are frequently in short supply for the Reserve side. So my advice is to find out what's important to the organization you're going to. It usually is what they were yelled at the last time and woe be onto whoever is responsible for the repeat ding.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 6 at 2015 9:15 PM

2015-10-06T21:15:30-04:00

Here is another asking the same question check it out.
https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/any-advice-for-those-transitioning-from-active-duty-to-reserves

Any advice for those transitioning from active duty to reserves? | RallyPoint

I am half way through the 90 days of terminal leave before my end of active service and beginning a new path into civilian life and the Select Marine Corps Reserve (SMCR).  There are many differences between active duty and reserves that I have learned through experiences and research.  For those who have made the switch, please share your experiences and advice. 

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 6 at 2015 9:18 PM

2015-10-06T21:18:03-04:00

Don't be afraid to also look at switching to another branch. There might be better opportunity.

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Oct 7 at 2015 12:15 AM

2015-10-07T00:15:57-04:00

What are your goals for going Reserve? Keep in mind that if the ball drops, you could end up being recalled at a tremendous loss of money. I also know, for instance, a Submarine ET, who broke his back in Iraq. How you might ask? He was activated as the communicator for an Army unit, and their vehicle hit an IED. The reserves carry a lot of risk, along with a lot of reward...

Response by CDR Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 7 at 2015 10:02 AM

2015-10-07T10:02:46-04:00

Before you leave Active Duty:
1) ENSURE YOUR DD-214 IS CORRECT WHEN YOU SEPARATE! Read it backwards and forwards. Double check SSN and address. Make sure ALL of your awards are listed. Have a copy sent to your state.
2) Do your homework. I don't know how many units are located at NOSC Quincy, but try to talk to someone from a few different ones. Don't rule out NOSC Newport (depending on the commute). Your Reserve experience will change depending on the unit and the NOSC.
3) Line up a civilian job before you leave Active Duty.

Once you're actually in the Reserves (drilling):
4) Brush up on your admin skills. You are MUCH more responsible for managing your own career in the Reserves than on Active duty. That includes making sure you get your EVALS on time, get your PFA scores entered, get credit for drills performed, etc.
5) Stay off of lists. That usually means get you medical done, get your GMTs done, knock out the PFA on time, etc.
6) Have fun. Yes, you will have some eye-rolling moments in the Reserves--just like you do on Active Duty. But, it's a overall a very rewarding experience.

Response by PO3 James Conner made Oct 7 at 2015 9:16 PM

2015-10-07T21:16:18-04:00

The reserves try their very best to add a months worth of stress in to 2 days. My advice, find a friend whom you can vent to, cause your arm will be cramping from how often you throw the BS flag.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 8 at 2015 7:45 PM

2015-10-08T19:45:34-04:00

Recommend getting mentors in your field and at the NOSC. Some are better than others, and if someone can guide you through new territory (like writing your own orders on NROWS), it will save you a lot of time and aggravation.

Also, remember that reservists deploy (and currently make up a large percentage of IAs)! Coming off of active duty, you may have a two-year dwell period from being recalled. If you have no desire to do so ever, look at VTU (volunteer training units) instead of being SELRES (selected reserve). Reserves are more than one weekend a month / 2 weeks a year.

You don't have to affiliate right away if you are getting settled, but it is a great fallback in case the civilian job front takes longer than you thought.

Response by PO2 Anthony Gallia made Oct 20 at 2015 5:32 AM

2015-10-20T05:32:40-04:00

Go back to active duty

Response by PO1 Brad Holcomb made Oct 22 at 2015 9:22 PM

2015-10-22T21:22:36-04:00

I say you should stay active duty because I kick myself for getting out and then joining navy reserves. I did 10yrs active on submarines then 13yrs in the reserves with the Seabees. I retired as a CS1. Just remember that if you are joining reserves in july that your will need to do courses to get enough points to have a good reserve yr. This was never explained to me and do not want you to have a bad year.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 1 at 2015 10:39 AM

2015-12-01T10:39:16-05:00

Let me paste this from another recent posting I made.
This was originally in reply to an E5>8 so the numbers will vary some for you.

Wow, where to start. Sorry this is so long but there's really a lot to consider.
If you're on sea duty, I know it stinks. Long days and lots of boredom. If you're on shore duty, I know the work days are pretty short. For either there's duty days, yeah, it's a pain. Then there's the PT, and the GMTs, and of course lots of petty bull$hit. Let me break it down from a Reservist's point of view. I was active for 4 years, I've been reserves for 10 now.
There's nothing more I'd rather do than go active.
There's also pretty much ZERO chance that will happen. Your mileage may vary of course.
Manning in your rating, your 'year group', evals, PFAs, oh so many things come into play going RC to AC.
Some of the below are based on my time with active duty types when I do my ATs of between 2-4 weeks every year.

Let me throw these comparisons out there:
USN PT: You get to go to a free gym and use it on the clock (more or less.)
CIV PT: I have to pay about $100/mo, and my boss is darned well not paying me to go.

USN Health: How much did you spend out of pocket for your (and your family's) medical last year?
CIV Health: Mine cost me about $495/mo and the deductibles are outrageous.

USN Work days: You might get away with an 8 hr day (or less) on shore duty.
(Please take this with a grain of salt, I present it tongue-in-cheek)
Of that day, you PT for a couple hours 3 times a week, swap sea stories for an hour or so, work for an hour or two, lunch turns into 90 minutes, back to work for a couple hours, crab about work for an hour or so, and then everyone complains about not getting off work early on Friday.
CIV Work days: You better have your butt in your chair and clocked in on time. You will get a 15 minute break in two hours, you will get a 1/2 hr (maybe 1 hr) lunch and be back on time, you will get 15 minutes in the afternoon. You won't be standing around shooting the breeze for two hours a day, and you sure as heck won't be off early on Friday unless you use some 'personal' or vaca hours, and in a lot of shops I've worked in, you bring your laundry in and do it in the machine on site for free. And if your production drops off you're out looking for a job next week.

USN Pay: E5 >8 = 2951.40/mo, that's about 17.50/hr based on 8hr days, about 21 work days/mo. PLUS your BAS 367.92 tax free, PLUS BAH 1509.00 (Norfolk) tax free.
CIV Pay: $15.60/hr, I do about the same job as an LS2 in the Navy. From that, I pay for my groceries, I pay for my mortgage, I pay for my gym, I pay for my health care. That's all there is. No BAS, no BAH, no tricare. (Okay, I am eligible for tricare for a cost but my wife has better coverage for me as she works for a hospital.)

USN Vacation: 30 days and it can be carried over big time. You get a buttload of holidays and then there are the "96" special liberties. You might be able to take advantage of Space A flights, and stay on bases (Navy Lodge, Gateway Inns) if they're near your vacation destination. ex: Key West about $55/night tax free.
CIV Vacation: I get 14 days of vaca, 2 personal days, 1 floating holiday, and 6 set holidays per year. If I want 'special liberty' it comes out of my vaca or personal days. I pay commercial air fare, and with just a few exceptions, I can't just go stay in a Navy Lodge where/whenever I want. ex: Key West about $255/night plus tax.

USN Retirement: Finish your 20 active about the time you're 40 years old, collect 50% checks (hopefully bank most of it) and start working a civilian job (or better yet, Federal job) and work for the next 25 years or so. Probably less because the money you've banked from your 'retired' pay may set you up for complete retirement by the time you're only 50 or 55. Also see NOTE below.
CIV Retirement: There's about zero chance of landing a job with a real pension anymore. Hopefully you're able to put enough in your 401k (and maybe your employer will put in 4-5% match) and with any luck the stock market doesn't tank again. And with some luck you might have enough to retire at 68, maybe 70. Here's a tip: You ain't gonna be able to eat on social security.
NOTE: If you retire from Reserve Duty, you don't get a check next month. You have to wait until you're 60 to start collecting. And that check will be nowhere near the 50% pay days you're looking at from Active Duty.

In the words of the wise Forrest Gump: "That's all I got to say about that."