Which would you reccomend - joining the Army Reserve before or after college?

Question

I want to join the Reserve to pay off college and to fight for the US, but I don't know when it'd be most beneficial to join.

Answer 1

It sounds to me like you have already made up your mind to Serve... Being in the Army Reserves myself, I think there are a few things you should know.

First and foremost joining the Reserves does not guarantee that your college debt will be payed off. The fine print of the contract states the Army will pay IF there is the money to pay with. That means you may not see anything payed towards your debt and I have seen this happen to a few people especially with this Iraq thing going on.

Second, depending on what your degree is in, it would benefit you more to go into the Airforce as Active duty. The Airforce is a fraction of the size of the Army so they are able to spend more money per person. This translates into better benefits and better quality living quarters, food service and education. I don't know if it would be better to join before getting your degree, you may want to talk to others who are in the Airforce.

Third, I found my experience in training to be challenging and very valuable but I believe you will benefit just as much no matter which branch you choose.

As an end note the benefits received by active and former military are being reduced all the time. There is no guarantee a benefit you signed up for will be there so do not make this important life altering decision based on promised benefits. The conflict in Iraq is going to be there when you are done getting your Degree and I have never heard someone say they regretted getting a Degree but I have heard them regret NOT getting the Degree.

Answer 2

If, you join before, then they pay for your College, which could help later in the Reserves. IF, you join after College you may be able to go in as an Officer, which would mean more pay.
You may want to check into the Air Force Reserves, just a thought.

Answer 3

I'm not quite as bitter as Army Guy above me, but I agree with him in that you should join another branch of the military. I was in the Air Force, and life was considerably better than it is for the other branches. Bear in mind that if you join the reserves and enroll in college, there's no guarantee that you'll get to finish school. If the military decides they need your reserve unit overseas somewhere to fight a war, you'll go too. They always talk big about you having every choice and being able to go to school, but when the shooting starts everything changes.

Answer 4

Go to college, but join the ROTC. (Reserve Officer Training Corp).
When you finish college, you will spend a couple years active duty as an officer making much better money, and then you can hit the civilian world with both education and experience.

Answer 5

Before -that way you can take advantage of the Army College Fund, The Montgomery G.I. bill, as well as programs like DANTES and CLEP while you are still in. There is no reason you can't earn a degree, almost entirely on Uncle Sam's tab, while in the military.

Answer 6

Join first and then go to college after. It's what both of my younger brothers are doing.

Answer 7

Neither. Reservists have recently been the #1 most deployed branch of the military. Want to have some fun in America's next military quagmire during college? How about Iraq, Afghanistan, North Korea, Iran, you name it.

Answer 8

After. You will need the time to study while you are in college. Plus they send reservists off to Iraq. It doesn't matter if you are in college or not. They call you up, and Baghdad here you come.

Answer 9

you should join before because of benefits. you should go for active duty after college because you can actually fight for your country

Answer 10

i'd say never but if you join after you have a degree you may be eligable to be an officer......it'll def. hel pay off college too