What is it like being in the Army reserves?

What is it like being in the Army reserves?

Army Reserve Soldiers receive the same training as active-duty Soldiers. After Basic Combat Training (BCT) and Advanced Individual Training (AIT), Army Reserve Soldiers return to their civilian lives and spend one weekend a month and two weeks per year training to keep their skills sharp.

What happens after you finish your military contract?

When you enlist, your military contract normally commits you to eight years of service. If you complete your active duty requirement before eight years are up, you have to serve the rest in the reserves. Each U.S. military branch, from the Coast Guard to the Air Force, has its own pool of reservists.

How long are you enlisted in the Army reserves?

Anyone that joins the military in an active duty capacity will be serving in the Army full-time. This is generally four years of active service and four years of inactive service. Reservists, on the other hand, have six-year contracts of reserve service and two of inactive service typically.

Is it worth joining the Army reserves?

Pro: You get military benefits when you serve in the Reserve. Your pay is based on your rank and time-in-service, and you get active duty pay during training periods. Con: The benefits you get tend to pale in comparison to full-time, active duty benefits in the same areas. …

What are the benefits of joining the reserves?

Reserve Component benefits Part-time pay: Pay is based on rank and service time. Bonuses are sometimes available for high-demand skills. Skills training: Your active-duty skills will be put to good use in the National Guard or Reserve. Or maybe you’ll choose to retrain in a completely different field.

What do Army Reserves do?

The Army Reserve is a branch of the military within the U.S. Army that allows soldiers to complete part-time service alongside a civilian life. Army Reserve soldiers can go to college or pursue a career while also serving as a member of the military.

How do I enlist in the army?

THE PROCESS TO BECOME AN ENLISTED SOLDIER

1. Pass a background check.
2. Take the Armed Forces Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB).
3. Pass an Army medical exam.
4. Meet with a recruiter to discuss and accept your Army job.
5. Take an Oath of Enlistment.
6. Ship to Basic Combat Training.

What happens if you try to leave the military before your contract ends?

In some cases, members will be allowed to simply leave their contract and go on their merry way. However, members often incur a service commitment to the Guard or Reserves if they leave active duty early. This could be a Regular Reserve or Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) commitment.

Do Army Reserve get paid monthly?

Reserve members are paid twice a month. The 15th is the mid-month pay date and includes pay due from the first day of the month through the 15th.

Do Army Reserves get paid monthly?

Reserve pay is based on two weeks of training each year and one weekend each month, otherwise known as Drill Pay, plus any bonuses or allowance. Compensation is hourly for work completed and wages will increase with rank and years of experience (many newly enlisted Soldiers enter the Reserve as a private).

Do Army Reserves get free college?

TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: Enroll in college courses while you’re in the Army Reserve and we’ll help you pay for them. Reserve tuition assistance covers 100\% of course costs for approved courses (up to $250 per credit hour).

What is the Army Reserve signing bonus?

Reserve Component Enlistment Bonus: Non-Prior Service recruits enlisting in the Army Reserve for six years in a specified job skill specialty may be eligible for a bonus or a combination of bonuses up to $20,000.

How long does it take to be in the Army Reserve?

You will spend one weekend a month on duty and two weeks a year in training. Soldiers in the Army Reserve may be called to active duty to provide their expertise. Your total service contract length in the Army Reserve may range from three to six years, depending on your Army Reserve job. Learn more about Army Reservedeployment.

What happens when you sign an enlistment contract with the military?

When you sign that enlistment contract, you are obligating yourself to the military for a total of eight years. Whatever time is not spent on active duty, or in the active Guard/Reserves (if you enlisted in the Guard/Reserves) must be spent in the inactive reserves. Paragraph 10a of the enlistment contract states: “a.

What is a first time military contract?

For first-time enlistments in the U.S. military, the contract includes minimum active duty and/or inactive reserve duty obligations along with the particular job you will hold in the military, also referred to as your Military Occupational Specialty (or MOS).

Why do you want to join the Army Reserve?

The U.S. Army Reserve is for those that want to make a difference performing critical Army jobs while serving part time, close to home, while gaining an edge in their civilian careers. Soldiers can combine their cash accession bonus with a Student Loan repayment agreement.