By Eric Johnson
Visit your local Army National Guard Recruiter Office and fill out some paperwork. You will need a high school diploma or a GED, a copy of your DD-214 if you have one, a copy of your birth certificate, a valid driver’s license, a current passport, a current membership to the National Guard Association of the United States, and a current set of fingerprints on file with the FBI..
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How To Join The Army Reserves? – Related Questions
Can you go straight into the Army Reserves?
If you are 18 years old or above, you can go into the Army Reserves. However, you will need to serve at least 24 months on Active Duty. After your Active Duty, you have the option of attending the Basic Officer Leader Course (BOLC) for up to 23 weeks. Upon completion of the BOLC, you will be commissioned as a 2Lt in the Army Reserves. But this is not necessary. Now if you are under 18, you don’t have to go on Active Duty. Instead, you will be asked to serve in the Army Reserve Duty until you turn 18..
How much do you make in the Army Reserves?
I am a member of the Army Reserves out of Ft. Lewis, WA. Active duty soldiers get paid twice a month. For Reservists, we get paid monthly. In addition, we get a monthly stipend of $350 to pay for transportation to drill periods. Larger sums are paid for Drill periods in remote locations. I, personally, make about $1500 a month from my active duty job. However, since I am a Reservist, I only get one month off a year. That is a major drawback..
Do you get paid to be in the Army Reserves?
Yes, there are salaries for just staying in the Army Reserves. It is approximately $3,000 per month. For the Army, you can also get paid for training, which is approximately $1,500 per month. Every Army reservist is paid around $250 per month for the first 12 months..
Is joining the Army Reserves worth it?
Yes, joining the Army Reserves is worth it in many ways. Of course, nothing in life is ever entirely free, so in exchange for your service, the army must give you a place to live, food to eat, and a uniform to wear. You will have opportunities to travel and to advance your education, and you’ll have time to socialize and have fun. You get valuable experience that will be useful to get a job. And you get valuable skills that will help get a job, such as how to get along with people, how to defer gratification, and how to work well in a team..
Can anyone join the reserves?
Yes, but the requirements are much more demanding than for enlistment in the active duty forces. There are several categories of people who can qualify for the reserves. The categories are based on age, time in service, time since last drill, and/or time since last active duty tour. Here are the basics:.
How long is training for Army Reserves?
You can expect to spend between 5-10 hours per week training. In addition, you will spend another 10-15 hours per week attending meetings and other activities. On average, a Reservist will train for about 3 to 6 months before being deployed. Most Reservists will end up deploying overseas after a year in the Army Reserves..
Do Army Reserves get paid every month?
Many people think that the Army Reserves are only required to serve once a month, or for two weeks, or for two months or for three months, or for four months at a time. The truth is that the Army Reserves are required to serve whenever it is called upon, no matter how long or short the time frame may be. The only time the Army Reserves are not required to serve is during the summer. There are also times when the Army Reserves are called upon several times during the year, and they are required to serve each time, no matter how long or short the time frame may be..
Is Army Reserve pay monthly?
Yes. DoD Directive 1327.7 (Enlisted Reserve Pay and Benefits Procedures) establishes the guidelines for Reserve Component (RC) pay and benefits as authorized by law. Paragraph 9.H states: “Reservists shall be paid on the first and 15th of each month”. This applies to each RC member regardless of components: IRR, IRR Selected Individual Mobilization Augmentees (SIA), and IRR Mobilized for Extended Active Duty (MEB)..
Do reserves get deployed?
Reserves don’t usually get deployed. Reserves are used only to support operations or respond to unexpected contingencies. Units are required to prepare themselves to deploy within 90 days of being notified, but they are seldom needed..
How much is drill pay per month?
Drill pay is the amount of money every soldier receives as a salary. Drill pay is roughly $1700 per month right now. Drill pay is paid once a month, to those who are eligible for it, provided there is no other excuse for not receiving it (such as an absence)..
What is the shortest contract in the Army Reserves?
The shortest contract in the Army Reserve is 6 years. Only 6 years enlisted personnel are eligible for the 6 year contract. You would need to be mustered in for 6 years to get the 6 year contract. The 6 year contract is only available to Non-Prior Service personnel..
What benefits do Army Reserves get?
The stand-by pay for the Reserves is roughly 1/2 the active duty total will be, so it is possible to be earning very close to your average civilian income. There are also special pays for things like Drill Pay, hostile fire pay, etc. Other things you should mention are the following:.
What happens if I miss a drill weekend?
The most important thing to understand about drill weekends is that they are voluntary. You are not entitled to miss a drill weekend because it’s too inconvenient, or because your friends are going to be in town that weekend. Even if you are feeling ill, you are not entitled, period. The second thing to understand is that you do not miss the drill weekend. Your unit will. You are dismissed, so your unit is dismissed. You will have to work all weekend, but your buddies are stuck at the armory, because you are the only “man” in the unit..
Should I join the Reserves or National Guard?
This is a question of preference. A lot depend on what you want to achieve. If you want to spend most of your time doing desk-jobs, the Reserves would be better..
Can you live on base in the reserves?
Yes, you can live on base in the reserves. The reason you can live on base is because you are not getting paid to live on base. You are getting paid to work on base..
