I was an Army reserve infantry officer (ROTC). I didn't like mixing reserve time with civilian life with periodic drills, so I went active duty and exited the Army completely after IRR. Active duty was a great experience for me. I was offered a company command position, when my tour was ending, but I was aiming for a civilian career after completing my military obligation. As a naturalized citizen, I am proud to have serve my country and be recognized as a US veteran.

You def summed up all the reasons why I decided to get out the army reserve. I really couldn’t find a way to balance the army reserve and my civilian job, and I just felt like I was wasting my time in the reserve every time drill weekends came around. It wasn’t just worth it for me at the end. Thanks for your service and keep up the good work.

Thanks for putting this out there. Even as you're young, your life is already multifaceted because of these choices you've made and it WILL pay off.

One of the struggles of being in the reserves is finding a civilian job that is accepting of drill. I enlisted in 2018 and when I came back from Basic and AIT no job wanted to hired me but security company. Now as an E4 with not enough NCO or officers, I had to take a squad leader role to support the lower enlisted. I would be on meetings and calls to get information and be “voluntold” to go to drill days earlier before our mission starts. With a full time job, being in the reserves, and also a full time student, I can clearly say that I do not have any friends nor time. I am still debating on what I want to do for my future. It’s not easy and props to who ever is doing the same stuff we are doing. A officer once told me that it’s either between your work or your family. Both things are not compatible.

I am almost at 20yrs, and I can say now the reserves is an obligational inconvenience I can wait to Retire and get out. Being in Cybersecurity now I make way to much money and have to much on line to be doing reserves. Reserves expect you to put in time for free and thats a no no. Dont even get me started on PHAs/Dental off times. Alot people dont understand the reserves/guard is full time part job.

YUP. I am in the Reserves and currently preparing for a deployment. I have prob been gone for about 3-4 months preparing. And my civilian peers think I'm just screwing off. It's annoying. Then the people in the reserves are VERY demanding, but do not take into account that you have a whole-ass career! Going back and forth can make you feel over whelmed for sure. This is why I am not reenlisting.

Hey Oak, I’m a full time college student thinking about joining the reserve. You seem very knowledgable on the topic of balancing both lifestyles. If you have time I’d love to chat with you about it!

Civilian = Nurse Army reserve= HR hahaha

This is a lot good information. I am commissioning in the years time and the experience definitely helps

Inspiring

Thank you

I agree how do people manage to do army reserve with having a civilian job full time that would let you off a week or so every month. Also the more I see it doesn't seem like it's even worth it being a reserve to just train or work a couple days a month to make like 3k a year? Maybe it's just me but if I'm gonna waste time doing part time it's at least 2-3 days every week or what's it worth? You ain't making money. At that point it's just to say your in the army. I was thinking of joining but with all this hmm nah I think I'm good. I want a career and money so would have to be active duty

Thanks, sir. This helps a lot.

Thank you for sharing this. What reserve has the shortest basic training? You got 2 weeks of training but I can see 7-10 weeks all over internet. I cannot get away from my current job for 7 weeks or more.

I’m in between jobs right now and I just swore in national guard. Do you think I should stop interviewing for civilian jobs and just focus on basic and AIT first?

I'm 20 and considering the reserves. I am currently a full-time college student and I'm not sure how to balance the school work and reserves duties

Hello, I'll be going to the army reserves pretty soon, I was just wondering what type of drills do we do one weekend a month? Do you have any tips or suggestions for me? Thank you

Reserves are only good if you're full time civil service

How long is a contract for a PL officer in the reserve ? Or Guard ? After ROTC

I like your hoodie where’d you get it at?

Good advice but 2 things. If you can- secure a job BEFORE joining the reserves,it’s federally illegal to be fired for military service related leaves, second- never do unpaid work outside of drill,period. People who complain about this are push overs