VANITY-Looking to join Military Reserves, Advice needed

self | 5/25/03 | libertythug

[LibertyThug]

I am very interested in joining the military reserves. I have been to an Army recruiter and I am eligible, but I am torn between the Army and the Air Force.
Also, I want to know of others' experiences with the reserves. I want to know of any cautions, tips, advise, etc... of fellow freepers that will help me to do this right.

I am a female, 31 yrs old, and a school teacher. I want to learn new things, find some kind of job that will help my country, and I am open to new opportunities.

[mystery-ak]

Gee...I wish I could ask my hubby...now, Im not sure about OCS...you do qualify, but Im not sure of the age limit.

The Guard can be called up by the state Gov...for disasters or by the Prez in times of war...like I said before...my hubby has been all over and travels a lot, but that depends on your MOS....if you want to stay at home and still serve one weekend a month and 2 weeks a year...the Guard is for you, but be prepared that you can/will be deployed in an emergency....a lot of professional pilots, law enforcement join the Guard.....my hubby is actually full-time Guard, so that is always his job no matter what.
Go talk to a Guard recuiter, they are under strength and looking for educated people...they may have something you are interested in....with your language skills, you are a great asset...they need people like you.

I'll ask my son tomorrow about the age limit of OCS and get back to you...

Think Aviation...those guys have it made...flyboys all the way....you could even fly choppers they are crying for Warrant Officers in the Guard..they are so under strengthed...consider that if you like flying!

[LibertyThug]

I dunno - some of the Army guys I met were about the 3rd grade level... ;>)

I knew that one was coming. My dad was AF and he can't believe I am considering Army. My point is that I want to go where there is an interesting job.
Thanks for the laugh!

[Dale 1]

As I tussle over referring to you as Miss Liberty or Doctor Thug, I think you need to call your recruiter and ask the question you are asking us. He/she will answer it correctly and to the best of his/her ability. I know others on this website will advise otherwise. They will tell you to watch out for the evil deception of the recruiter (otherwise know as a used car salesmen).

Recruiters are simply filling quotas. They are looking for people to fill jobs that are needed to be filled. And if you decide to fill one of these jobs, you will not be sorry.

I say - - Go for it.

[Mr Rogers]

BTW - my son is trying to get into the Army Guard (hearing problem, waiting to see if he can get a waiver - having known some field artillery officers, I find it hard to believe poor hearing hurts in the Army) and my oldest daughter just finished USMC boot camp. Add in my spending 3 years in a Navy squadron, and I think I'm about as "joint" as they come.

[LibWhacker]

This might help. It does seem to have a fairly comprehensive list of MOS's by branch. When I went in, the recruiter told me, "You have four choices: Infantry, artillery, armor and supply." He lied.

Much later in my job as a company clerk, I got to see the real deal huge Army manual listing all Army MOS's. It was unbelievable. I think there might be a thousand or more MOS's. At least there was during the Viet Nam War.

Did you know there is (or there was) an MOS called "recreation specialist?" Their job is to teach tennis, swimming, bowling, etc., to soldiers and their families at military resorts. Boy, was I ever steamed when I found out about that one! LOL.

Your recruiter won't tell you these things because the Army doesn't want everyone applying to be a recreation specialist. They'll try to guide you jobs where the Army has a need for people. But . . . be aware . . . there ARE alternatives . . .

Also, of course, you're aware . . . it's generally much more interesting and rewarding to be an officer than an enlisted person. Good luck!

[Eagle Eye]

Also, the quality of life and the pay are much, much better in the Air Force.

Be careful, some places right now the Army is in AC and the USAF is in tents. Also, the Army promotes faster, so the pay is actually better in the Army.

[Future Snake Eater]

Also, the Army promotes faster, so the pay is actually better in the Army.

True, but there are those extra payments you can get in the Air Force that are so much higher than anything in the Army. I had a buddy who joined the AF Reserves at Seymour-Johnson AFB. He trained to be a KC-135 engine repair specialist. He wasn't in school very long for it. When he got back, he got 2 weeks of OJT on-base. When he was done, he had enough bonuses where he was making equivalent to an E-7's pay as a brand new E-3.

Another case in point: one of my old roommates was a Marine who was stationed in Italy for a time. He and his fellow Marines got an extra $100-$150/month for overseas pay. His Air Force counterparts? $1,000 extra per month. He watched them count it out right in front of him.

The Air Force is definitly quite a monetary opportunity (then there's the fringe benefits of taking a hop over to Europe on a weekend drill...farthest I ever go on a weekend drill is Fort Bragg...)

[fnord]

In case someone hasn't mentioned it already, check out your local National Guard recruiter too.

There are many more Guard units than Reserve units. Accordingly, they have more variety of MOS's to offer. Depending on your state, your Army/Air National Guard will have many more units (so more chance of something local) and many, many more MOS's (and so have something more to your interest).

Sounds like you might like somethin in the intel field. Even in the NG, that is a rare MOS. If you get into that field, be aware it would likely make you a high-profile mobilization asset (you might get activated and sent somewhere else).

Whatever you decide, good for you and good luck.

[Jim Ralls]

I spent a career in the active Air Force and Air National Guard so I am probably biased in their favor; but, I offer the following advise for you to consider:

1. Take your time making up your mind. Do not let any recruiter pressure you with the "this opportunity will not remain open long" spiel. What they mean is that they have a quota to meet.

2. The Air and Army Guard are great places to serve in your local area. You can meet some wonderful people and network those contacts in your civilian career. Just never forget that you can get called to active duty and deployed anywhere Uncle Sam needs you. In my last fifteen years in the Air Guard, I went overseas 6 times. Once as a volunteer; the rest of the time Uncle Sam needed me.

3. If you could let me know where you live, I will let you know the local Air Guard unit[s] and give you a person to call if I know anyone there. I am sure that others here will be willing to do that also.

Good luck in your desire to serve.

[dakine]

We had some 30+ year olds in my basic training unit, it was like training with your Dad....

[Eagle Eye]

Can't comment about USAF bonuses. Each service has some, of course, and I've not heard of any zoomies here making and extra grand just for being here. $150/month is the hostile duty pay. But one thing I've learned is that truth is often stranger than a swabby's sea story.