How to Join the Military Reserves

Men and women from across the country find the Reserves an exciting opportunity to earn extra income, learn new skills, travel and serve their country. If you're interested in becoming a Reservist, here's how.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• GED Study Guides
• SAT Preparation Books
• SAT Study Guides
• Academic Counselings
• Personality Counseling
• Internet Access
• Career Counseling
• Career Counseling
• Pens And Pencils
• Spiral Notebooks
• Computers
• Internet Explorer
• Ambush! Navy Seals In Deadly Action Video
• Coast Guard Ships Videos
• Desert Storm: Original Air Footage Videos
• Heritage Of Glory: US Marine Corps Video
• Navy Seals: Men Behind The Legend Videos
• Pioneers Of Aviation Videos
• Special Forces Videos
• The Wild Blue Yonder: The USAF Video
• U.S. Army In Action Videos
• Internet Explorer
• Tae-Bo Workout video

1. Further your education. Every branch of the military wants the best-educated enlistees.

2. Be aware the Reserves are part of the military establishment dedicated to the mission of national defense.

3. Since the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard all have Reserve components, consider the Reserve programs of each.

4. Consult a friend, neighbor or family member who has Reserve experience.

5. Remember, you must serve on active duty for a specific period (at least to complete basic training) before being transferred to Reserve status.

6. Find out how much time serving in the Reserves requires you to be away from your family, friends and home.

7. Think about the military occupation specialties that interest you. Check out local Reserve units to see what slots are open.

8. Visit a recruiter for the service branch of your choice and explain that you are interested in the Reserve option.

9. Request literature, ask questions and take notes.

10. Establish a good working relationship with the recruiter and get solid answers to your questions.

11. Ask your school counselor or recruiter to schedule you for the Armed Service Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) Test.

12. Prepare to undergo a physical examination, take a drug screening test, and be subjected to a criminal background check.

13. Make no legal commitment until you're absolutely sure of your decision to join.

Tips & Warnings

• No better resource than the Internet exists to delve into military history and to learn the opportunities for service.
• Military leaders appreciate, and reward, enlistees who strive to do their best every day.
• The Montgomery GI Bill can provide significant funds for higher education to Reservists.
• The U.S. Armed Services can provide training in hundreds of skills, but if you intend to serve in the active Reserves, you must join a unit located where you can attend monthly meetings and respond to call-ups.
• All branches of the U.S. military strive to be drug-free and use drug testing to help reach that goal.

[kojak911]

on 2/24/2009 check out http://www.goarmyrecruiting.com to learn more about signing up

[jspinx]

on 3/28/2008 Do yourself a favor, do some research before you go. The best book I can recommend is the Ultimate Basic Training Guidebook (www.UltimateBasicTraining.com)

on 3/10/2006 Remember that you will have to sign an obligation contract with your enlistment contract, which will require you to report to any call up, even if you are in an inactive role. The military currently has an 8 year obligation. I enlisted Active Duty Army in 1998, spent almost four of my first five years deployed in combat roles, then went into the Army Reserve. I am now wanting to go inactive, but still have until November until my obligation is up, even though my initial Active Duty contract was up in 2004, and my Army Reserve contract expired in 2005. Just be careful about what you are committing yourself to.

on 11/22/2005 Expect the recruiter to make an effort to sway you over to the active duty side when you first talk with them. You'll probably hear the question "Why not active?" as well as hear them list the benefits of active duty besides the benefits of joining the reserves. Then they'll ask you which one sounds better. Stick to your guns and firmly state your reasons for wanting to go to the reserves. One thing you might tell them is that you know you can go from reserves to active if you change your mind later, but it doesn't work so well the other way around.