Should I consider the Military Reserves? (VANITY)

[Frank_Discussion]

Hey Folks,

I'm considering joing the Navy or Air Force Reserves, with a number of motive in mind. I'd just like to know wha y'all think, in general.

[SamAdams76]

Joining the military is a good thing.

[Scotsman will be Free]

Generally, joining the military is a good thing. Depending on your motives, the airdales or squids may be good or bad for you.

[SouthernFreebird]

Should I consider the Military Reserves?

I'm looking for husband and was wondering the same thing.......

[shiva]

YES!!!

[Anotherpundit]

my brother loves it, he just made commander in the reserves. GOt called up for sept. 11th and has been on active duty ever since -- stationed within driving distance of his home, so no hardship at all. Worked out perfectly.

[Frank_Discussion]

Ok, to broaden the question a bit: Which of the two do you folks think is best. I know, it's subjective, but it would help me a lot.

[Robert_Paulson2]

male or female?
age, weight, height and vision?

If you can get in... GO FOR IT... If you can't right now... start training, so if circumstances change the "allowable" specifications to closer match your stats... YOU can be there...

If you can run three miles in 18 minutes like our fifty seven year old president... they gotta give you a shot.

[I got the rope]

Sam...he said he wanted to join the Navy or Air Force ... not the Military.

Frank...I'm just kidding. Go for it. I can think of nothing better than a Freeper Serviceman.

[petuniasevan]

GO for it! My sister-in-law's husband is an Army reservist stationed at Ellsworth AFB in Rapid City SD (they live in Sturgis). He's got 14 years in and has made E-7. He has a chance to test for Warrant Officer if he likes.

It's a better choice than active duty if you've got a family, unless there's a major conflict and you get called to full-time duty.

But keep it in perspective.

Look at it as military service, not free money for college.

I guarantee you'll have an experience you will never get in the civilian world. I wouldn't trade my 4 years' active duty Air Force for anything (and I wished otherwise at the time).

[LibKill]

Service in the reserves is honorable.

Remember though, you will be military, even when you are in civillian clothes. And you can be called up at any time and kept in the field as long as they need you. If you can't handle that, don't do it.

If you can, you will have my gratitude and respect.

[petuniasevan]

Which is best? I'm biased. Air Force of course. Easiest basic training, most techno geek jobs available. Best choice for women, definitely. Great choice for those who love to work on aircraft - they're always begging for mechanics (I worked on B-52Gs). Lots of bases in CONUS and overseas.

Navy would be preferable if you want to travel aboard ship or sub. I don't recommend it if you have family, though. It's a strain, and nonmilitary wives/husbands seldom understand the need to be separated for months at a time.
They do have shore duty stations in the Navy, of course.

[Frank_Discussion]

"It's a strain, and nonmilitary wives/husbands seldom understand the need to be separated for months at a time."

I'm talking about reserve status. Is this true in the reserves?

[petuniasevan]

Yeah, you're right...reserves. No, I wouldn't think the Navy requires extended at-sea duty of its reservists. Note to self: check and recheck assumptions when posting while under the influence of cold meds...

[RedBloodedAmerican]

French Foreign legion?

[Frank_Discussion]

Oooh, Sudafed, Nyquil? Can I have some?

(Thanks for the clarification.)

[Frank_Discussion]

Does AF reserves have direct commissioning, like the Navy? I've got an engineering degree that I'd like to put to use.

[petuniasevan]

Both. And a shot of JD in some Dr. Pepper!

Here you are!

Now I have to post the APOD. Wonder how that'll turn out?

[Cvengr]

Just remember that if you sign a contract for the reserves, it does include some active duty time and if you are called up for war, you are bound to go or go to jail.

The more rank you gain over the years, to some extent the more control you might have over events.

Shop the services well. Most successful reservists had at least one 4 year tour as a regular. If you've served one tour, I strongly recommend the reserves as a great second income, a catharsis to different work environments, and since you'll be on the book of lists anyways, might as well advance your rank in the event of war.

Today's new enlistee might also consider that the Me generation frequently will expect younger generations to be drafted even though they opposed the draft 30 years ago. Joining now, might have considerably better consequences than a draft later.

Shop the services well. The demands of each service will vary greatly every several years. Don't sign until you've shopped them all for at least 6 months. Look for programs where you can walk in essentially as an E-3/E-4 with little active duty commitment or look at officer programs. Run the numbers, figure out how your longevity will be amortized as a regular first, then reservist or as a ROTC cadet/midshipman for 4 yrs with colege tuition paid, then entering at 0 yrs longevity pay vice an enlistment and entering at 4+yrs pay.

About 10 yrs ago the Seabees were so hard up for steelworkers that a new enlistee into the reserves could come out as a E-4 upon initial signup, with less than 3 months active duty requirement and a 4-8 yr reserve hitch plus a bonus. Frequently certian MOSs have requirements for re-enlistment bonuses. Try to catch a needed MOS, which isn't glutted or enter over the fall/winter vice the spring/summer to catch alternative assignments. Good luck!

[Taylor42]

What is it you want to do?

One piece of advice, if you go talk to a recruiter, have a friend whose been in the service go with you. It's not always what they tell you. Somethimes they leave stuff out.