What of the two year service option?

Question

There is a two year active duty service option. I hear the benefits are bad. but i like how the service option is short term, that way unlike the 5 year security gaurd enlistment that I told my recruiter to sign me up for I still get to do military active duty without over doing it.

Any advice?

Is the two year active duty worth it?

Answer 1

Okay, here's the deal with the two year option.

EVERYONE who initially enters the military has an 8 year military service obligation, or MSO. It begins when you enter the delayed enlistment program (since you're an inactive reservist at that time) and ends 8 years later.

When you finish your 2 year active duty tour, you would not be DISCHARGED...you'd be released to the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR). The IRR is a nondrilling segment of the reserve that is recallable in time of war or national emergency.

Think this through: You do 2 years, you make Specialist (tops) and get released...unless there's a war, in which case they keep you. Or they let you go, you get a nice civilian job, and then get recalled in 5 years working for E-4 pay again.

No thanks.

Answer 2

Bob D is correct about the total 8 year obligation, and to add to that, there is the potential of stop-loss: "In the event of war, my enlistment in the Armed Forces continues until six (6) months after the war ends, unless my enlistment is ended sooner by the President of the United States." (enlistment contract)

Answer 3

depends., you do not get any of the bonuses that regular contracts get, your job choice is SEVERELY limited and depending on the contract, you may be required to serve in the Reserves a minimum 24 months afterwards. Also, if you find that you actually like it, you may NOT be allowed to re enlist.

Answer 4

thre is also a 6 year commitment to the inactive reserves.....you will get a crappy job. So your two years could seem like ten