How to Join the Navy Reserves

Navy reservists serve in both officer and enlisted capacity. The way to join the Navy Reserves differs depending on whether you are currently on active duty, have prior military service or are a civilian. The steps below are for moving from civilian to reservist status. Your local military recruiter will put you in contact with one of the approximately 65 Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) around the country.

Things You'll Need

• Identification documents

Instructions

1. Take a prescreen interview to schedule the first meeting. At your local recruiting office, the first step in joining the Navy Reserves is to participate in a prescreening interview. This is a very basic medical report in which the recruiter will verify the basic requirements (see Warnings section below). This prescreening is necessary to schedule an actual first meeting with the MEPS.

2. Take the ASVAB. The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is a test used by the military to determine recruits' eligibility for enlistment and particular job training. The test covers four critical areas: arithmetic reasoning, word knowledge, paragraph comprehension and mathematics knowledge.

3. Provide documentation. At your first MEPS meeting, you will need to bring several documents. These include your Social Security card, driver's license, documentation of any ROTC experience and college transcripts. If you have dependent family members or a spouse, you will need notarized copies of your marriage certificate, divorce decree or separation order, notarized copies of your children's birth certificates and copies of lease or rental agreement of any dependents living outside government quarters.

4. Take a physical. The MEPS will conduct a thorough physical exam and medical history interview at your initial meeting. This includes tests of blood, urine, hearing, vision and flexibility. The medical history is usually conducted via interview with a doctor.

5. Choose a career. Based on your ASVAB score and personal history, as well as the availability of positions, MEPS will offer several career choices. Diverse opportunities are generally available in both enlisted and officer categories, ranging from construction to photography, legal services to aviation and special operations.

Tips & Warnings

• Once you complete the steps outlined above, you will be sworn into the Naval Reserves with the following oath: I, (your name), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the Officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me, God.

• To join the Navy Reserves, you must be between the ages of 18 and 39, have a high school diploma and be between 60 and 80 inches in height.

References

• Navy Reserve FAQ
• Becoming a Navy Reservist
• Civilian to Reservist: Step-by-Step

Resources

• U.S. Navy
• Naval Reserve
• Ways to Join