sushi

Well I got out of active duty Navy a few months back and the Navy reserves contacted me. I spoke to one of their recruiters and he spun his web of bullshit about how it's the greatest thing since the d16. Is there anyone here in the reserves (any branch) and is it worth your time?

jo_gobel

i spent 4yrs in the reserves after my active duty commitment, i did it volenteer basis and did not sign a contract to get into the reserves, therefor when i was ready to "get out" of the reserves, i informed my chain of command that i would not be returning the next month and to process me and issue a new dd214 with the updated info.

that process may have changed since then, that was back in 2004. i spent a total of 7yrs and change (3 active, 4+ in the reserves). i chose this method for the simple fact that i didnt want to be locked into a certain time period and waived the shitty sign up bonus they offered just so i could have the option to get out when i wanted.

HOWEVER, the key to this process is that when you go back into the reserves or guard, your chances of getting deployed right now are VERY high, so you may be involenterally "re-enlisted" to active duty for 2 yrs or more.


if you dont mind deployements, go for it.

if you dont want to get deployed, i wouldnt recomend it.

MR_T

chances on enlistment also depends on your MOS rank etc. i got a buddy who's in the reserves right now and hes got almost no chace of being deployed.. best thing you can do is talk to somebody thats in you specallity and see if the pay/benifits are worth the risk

jo_gobel

thats bullshit by the way, EVERY MOS has a chance to go. yes, some other MOS's are a higher chance such as combart arms, ie infantry, artillery, etc..., however, the way the gov't see's it, EVERY soldier is trained to shot a gun and EVERY soldier can pull security.

xpert787

I was in the reserves for 5yrs and didn't deploy once. I was always looking over my shoulder though, and they were always yelling that it was not if but when. Anyway my advice is if you want to goto school stay out of the reserves right now. Since you came off AD you should have the MGIBILL, only thing you get from the reserves is a crappy paycheck and tuition assistance. If you are ok with deployment and just want something to do I guess stay with it. Don't do it for money, depending on your job you would probably make more then you would get for your two drill days.

sushi

I can't do the MOS that I had while I was on active duty. I was a Nuke ET and they don't have any need for a reactor operator in the reserves so I'd probably end up being a conventional ET (even though I don't know ---- about radios or radar). It is guaranteed that I can't be deployed until 2 years after my EAOS from active duty (October 09). If I sign up for 6 years I can get a 10k signing bonus and if I decide to opt out I would have to pay a pro rated amount of that back. There is no TA in the reserves anymore so I would have to use my GI bill to go to school which is what I was planning to do anyway.

erik_m_o

no TA?? since when? what branch? I'm in the army reserves and i used my TA last year.

D15Bastard

I did my 4 years of active duty in the Marines, got out without going reserves. Been out 2 years now, and they still called me back. I got recall orders for May of 08.

either way you choose, they'll getcha