Is it a good idea to join the army reserves right now?

Question

I am 19, a female, in 4 yr. University with a double major in Political Science and Spanish and a minor in Sociology.
I would really like to know from a person who has experienced this. I'm asking you all because I don't want to have any surprises and I want to get a straightforward answer from someone who's not a recruiter. I would like an answer from someone who has gone through this process already or has had second hand experience in the army reserves.

Answer 1

First off, since you are already at college, have you considered ROTC of some flavor (Army, Navy, etc....) There's no obligation for the first two years, and it could help you pay for college over the last two. It would give you a chance to test the water, as well as be in a position to be an officer (which offers a much better opportunity to use your college skills). Based on your college subjects, I believe you'd be better served by entering as an officer, honestly.

The military is really looking for people who are literate in foreign languages and speak multiple languages fluently.

If you did join, and you don't want to end up in Iraq, look into programs like the Navy's Foreign Affairs Officer program. The military take people who are culturally and linguistically fluent officers and posts them as advisors and liasons to other country's militaries, as embassy attaches, and other posts that have more to do with protocol than fighting.

You would also be the kind of person they want as intel analysts, especially on Latin American affairs. Before you sign anything, you should get guarantees in writing, and have a lawyer look at them, that your MOS will be the one you want. The reserves are having a hard enough time recruiting that you can play hardball.

If you are physically fit enough, there is definitely a place for the skill sets you are building. If you finish college, get a commission in the reserves, and work as an FAO or equivalent it could help you get a job at the Department of State later on.

Answer 2

Okay, you want first hand experience, here you go!

I'm currently a new (less than 1 year since pinning) officer in the Army Reserve, and I took that route after 16 years in the enlisted ranks of the Active Army, National Guard and Army Reserve. I am not a recruiter, and know nothing about what those folks do.

Also, if it helps any, I am not a die-hard war monger. I am actually VERY democrat and have serious issues with the direction the military is going right now...

Anyway...I digress.


Here are the advantages of the Army Reserve in your position right now.


1. GI Bill. It's not as good as the active one, but every dollar helps.

2. Student loan repayment. If you know you're going in and you are realatively healthy and won't get kicked out, it's a good gamble to start racking up the student loans. It's free money.

3. Tuition assistance. The Army Reserve paid for my entire masters degree..every dime, except for books.

4. Bonuses are good right now.

5. Great opportunities to learn new skills and meet new people that you would meet otherwise

6. Opportunities to grow as a leader. Despite the hundreds of crappy leaders I have run across in the Army Reserve, it is my belief that the Army does a pretty good job at training their leaders

....enough of that.

In addition, as you probably have enough credits, you could talk to your command's accessions folks about the possiblity of going direct commission. The days of getting your butt kicked in Officer Candidate School are long gone...now you fill out a packet and pin your bar on. You do have to go to some other schools that may or may not be fun, but the fact of the matter remains that the Army Reserve is looking for intelligent and dedicated folks to fill their officer ranks. Being an officer is an entirely different ball game than enlisted. You don't scrub nearly as many toilets and don't pick up nearly as many cigarette butts. :)

I love the Army and I appreciate all that it has given me. I have 3 years left until I am elligible for retirement, but will probably end up staying for at least 10 more. I can't imagine a month going by where I don't get to put on my uniform and serve my country.

Answer 3

Both have a lot to offer. I would suggest you go into the reserves first. You will obligate yourself to the same initial training as those going into active duty but then you return home. Most reservists (National Guard and some Reservists (both are reserve components)) drill one week end a month and two weeks out of every year. If you like the military you can then go active duty for what ever period you want. You can not however go to active duty and revert to reserves if you do not like the military. I started out on active duty with the USAF (Air Policeman) during Vietnam. I completed my tour and left active duty, went into the Air Force Reserve, then into the Army National Guard. I completed 27 1/2 years combined active duty and reserves. I miss it and the outstanding people I worked with. Which branch you choose is up to you; they all are very much alike but they all have different missions. The Air Force is the most professional and has far less crap than the Army or Marines (I worked for the Marines and the Navy as a civilian employee) and the Navy is the most lax. If you are interested in getting a degree I would suggest the Air Force. Their training and education along with the experience you get is hard to beat. I also got my degree in CJ and spent 14 years as a municipal police officer before going to work for the Navy as A supervisory criminal investigator. Your call; make your decision and go for it!!

Answer 4

Finish college first! I quit college after 2 semesters and joined the Army (active duty), and I regret it. Not that the Army was a horrible experience, mind you, but I should have stayed in and gotten my degree back then instead of trying to do it now (29 and just now getting my AA, when people 5 years younger have their Bachelor's).

I know you're looking at going into the Reserves, but with the war in Iraq and all these other conflicts, you will no doubt be active service and not have the time to do your classes because they will send you overseas. Being in the military, it's highly unpredictable when and where they'll send you.

So stay in college, take a part time job, and revisit the idea of joining the military once you've gotten your degree (if you have a degree you can get into officer training really quick and get paid more).

If money is a problem for you, apply for grants, look around for scholarships, and if it comes down to it, get a federal loan (you don't have to pay it back until after you graduate). http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ is a good site for the grants/loans.

Answer 5

If you are ready to serve your country then by all means join. But know that at this time, you will likely be called to serve. It may not be Iraq but there are plenty of other places you may go. A friend of mine is in the Naval reserves and was just called up to go to Milan Italy. I might recommend either the Air Force or Navy since the Army and Marines are the foot troops who see action in person. I have two son-in-laws who are currently serving - one is in Iraq (Army) and the other is a submariner (Navy) location not disclosed at this time.
Good luck in making your decision.

Answer 6

Wait until you get a degree. Then try to enlist in an officer training program to make the best opportunity for yourself. I am a 10-yr US military vet, who was also a career counselor. I think you SHOULD speak to a recruiter regarding the various programs you could take advantage of IF you are serious about an enlistment. As in any sales predicament you don't have to say "yes" right away.

Answer 7

you could join for psych ops
but get into an officer candidate program or rotc

or you would be a natural for border duty.
go for it we need all the young people we can get and the opportunities are excellent now
my son is in a National guard Army ROTC program
he just left for boot camp

Answer 8

It sounds like you need to avoid the military at all cost.

If I were you, I would get the heck off of Yahoo! and go find a job.

With your education, you shouldn't have a problem finding something decent. The military might look appealing - especially if they are offering to give you money for school (or pay off school debt), but trust me - if this thing in the middle east really blows up, the reservists are the first ones to go - even if you wouldn't be doing combat, you never know where you might end up.

Answer 9

YES, you get to continue your education while with the US Army Reserves and be paid for it, plus, it would be better to go to a US Army Recruiter and they can provide up-to-date and more accurate information for you.
This is without any obligation on your part.

Answer 10

If you are seeking thrills like dodging bullets and trying to avoid land mines in Iraq, this is the perfect time to sign up.