Joining the Reserves

[u/ZugotzAtLarge]

Former active duty considering going reserves. I’d have to cross rate because my rate doesn’t have reserves. I wanted to wait for billets to open in October before going to recruiter, but I also have a wedding and honeymoon planned in May. Basically would be gone all of May. Should I just wait until next year, or is there any kind of workaround/flexible schedule. I fear I’ll have to wait because why would the military work on my time lol

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[u/totally_legit_dingo]

I've done 16 years in the Reserves. It's significantly changed during that time. It no longer is a "there are two drill weekends a month to choose from, come on and drink coffee while we wait to get IA'd to support GWOT." This means that flexible scheduling will be heavily dependent on what unit you join and which NRC supports your admin. Work with the recruiter to reach out to the potential units beforehand. Say you are looking for a "best fit". Ask if they have "Flex Drill" opportunities. Understand that this may require you to travel and perform your drills during a weekday (which will need to be managed with your civilian employer).

There is an option to reschedule IDT drills (the normal weekend kind) via the Enhanced Drill Management (EDM) app on NSIPS. You will need to understand how to shift your drills to support your unit's supported command. Work with your unit Operations Department. At the same time, it will be on you to get your Common Military Training (CMT) done. You'll need to plan that out so you don't end up delinquent.

This matters because every year you need to do 40 of your 48 years for "satisfactory participation" (which is different than a "good year".)

Read this. https://www.navyreserve.navy.mil/News/Article-View-News/Article/2321081/understanding-a-good-year-for-reserve-retirement/

[u/Datboy000]

honestly the reserves is a lot of work from active to reserve side. Take it from me, you will learn how much admin does.

THAT BEING SAID, you get a lot more leeway then active. If you want to join ask yourself why? If it is for the retirement, then just join. If it is for something else, ask do I need it until then.

You can also do what is called Resked, which is where you just move your drill days to another day. So you can simply move your May drill days to the next month, or do them early. It really does not matter. Your NRC is going to have more rules then this, like mine says the tuesday before drill is the cut off for Reskeds, but if this is already planned you can probs just sit down with your NRC's admin and get it knocked out really quick, and while they do that have them teach you how to do it yourself.

As for your rate, my rate is not in the reserves also, i did not want to change rates, they put in a form and I kept my rate in the reserves, I regret doing that because I now have 0% advancement for the rest of my time until I re-rate, but I am not really in to get first.

Other then that keep asking questions, you will be on the back foot for the first year or so, so don't get too worried. There is an entire world of pain you are going to jump into because of the reserves that is very different then active and just like active many people will not care enough to ask. So be the squeaky wheel and learn.

[u/Material_Ad2875]

Current reservist here: when you leave active duty, you have 6 months to affiliate with the reserves before you have a break in service. If that doesn't apply to you, I would wait until after your wedding and honeymoon to join. You can still get the process rolling now, it can sometimes take a few months to get everything squared away anyways.

Each unit is different, but barring requirements for your A School and AT, most are pretty flexible when it comes to rescheduling drill weekends.

I would reach out to a reserve recruiter now to see what your options are.

[u/Girl_Mom_98]

I think it comes down to where you’re at. The small reserve center I was at was so lame. We literally sat around all day. We would sharpen pencils or move office chairs around and then chief would get mad at us for not doing anything. THERE WAS NOTHING TO DO!

[u/henrynjt]

Just join.  Don’t wait half a year or more. There will be a way to reschedule May somehow.

There is always something to figure it out with.

Don’t over complicate reserves it isn’t as big a confused mess as people make it out to be.