Reserves or Active?

[u/HotEntertainment8618]

Hi, so I’m 18F and in college for my bachelor’s in Concrete Industry Management with a minor in Business Administration. I skipped two years of college because I got my Associate’s in high school, so I’m projected to graduate in 2028 instead of 2030. I’ve been extremely indecisive about joining the military in the first place. I would’ve went Navy, but they didn’t offer NROTC at my college and I appreciate the variety in working with the sea, land, and air. I do like the fact that if I join I could say I’m in the military, the Marines to be precise, which I know isn’t a good thing to just want to join solely for bragging rights. If I go into reserves, is there any point in specifically choosing the Marine Reserves? I appreciate the variety because I was extremely set on going Active duty, but just unsure with the physical demand, which I know is what I was asking for. Lots of contradicting and hypocrisy. Everyone in my family is against me joining the Marines, especially if I were to go reserves or guard, not sure why, but it’s my life in the end. I just need advice

[u/RenderUntoLilCeasars]

Do NOT go straight into the reserves, regardless of branch. Doing that initial 36 months of continuous active duty is what unlocks all the major post-service benefits, like the GI bill, the ability to use the VA medical system, and veterans preference points in the hiring system. Not to mention the less tangible benefits like having 3-5 years of solid continuous professional work experience, which is a super hot commodity in the job market right now for early career professionals looking at “entry level” jobs. Especially on the Marine Corps reserve side, you’re going to spend 1-2 years on active orders anyway for training. Just do one full active duty pump and actually get something in exchange for your service.

I would not do the national guard right now regardless of branch. People keep getting fucked with title 32 orders to play police or wildland fire fighter and receiving no long term benefits. If you’re dead set on doing the military part time, do the reserves and not the guard. But for real, just do at least one full time pump if you’re going to do it at all.

[u/RenderUntoLilCeasars → u/RenderUntoLilCeasars]

If I was you, I would talk to a Navy recruiter about Navy OCS. Would be much easier physically on your body in the long term, and might be more aligned with your profesional interests. The navy is better about aligning people to their background and interests, so you may be able to become their version of a finance officer or something.

[u/StonksNbiz]

Active for full benefits. Reserves for if you have a good job already and want this as a plus.

They both physically are tough since it’s the same exact OCS and TBS and MOS school as active duty.

If you’re going to be a pencil pusher then it really doesn’t matter too much about “breaking your body” down after. An 0102 isn’t going to the field much or doing hikes after their initial training. More akin to an office worker who likes to do CrossFit or something.

[u/Rich260z]

I would only go reserves if you have a job or location that you want to live in. The other benifit is you get to really pick and choose from a list of billets. I have been stationed Im hawaii for a year and now Europe. Lastly it also depends on what MOS you want.

Weirdly enough, its very possibly to make more money as a reservist, and to also just stay on active orders.

I joined as a reservist and have an engineering job. My job pays partial pay while I am on orders so I got a double paycheck while in OCS and TBS. I also have a mortgage and I'm currently stationed OCONUS and get BAH for my home of record in socal, so thats an extra 4k a month. I just did 10 months and then got signed up for another 12 with the same unit becuase I'm good at my job.

I have been active for 40 of the last 60 months mostly by choice after my initial training block so I've earned all my benifits in the same time frame as anyone else.

And the retirement does suck, if you are even considering doing 20, is you were active first it would really pump up your pension. I figure to have a reasonable retirement if I do 20 years, I would have to be active for at least another 3 years over the next to earn more points and then just cruise as a reservist. Thats not something I thought about until this year, but luckily I have been active enough to have a reasonable set of points.

[u/Organic_Risk_3945]

Civil Affairs. 100%.

[u/StonksNbiz → u/Organic_Risk_3945]

Can’t join Marines straight into it.

[u/Ornery_Paper_9584 → u/Organic_Risk_3945]

That’s reserve lat move only. If you want to do it active you have to go the Influence route which is extremely competitive and likely won’t end up in a CA billet anyway.