U.S. Army Reserve: Should I go in?

[Cpt B M Deleted]

I recently met with a recruiter for the US Army reserve. He told me all the benefits of the US Army could offer. I took a practice Military aptitude test, and got a very high score on my first try. They said I'd be perfect for them. But, I'm still not sure, I mean...it's kinda scary. What if I don't like it..plus, I'll have to devote an entire summer to Basic training. I don't know! Help me somebody..what should I do?!

[Guest Madmatt]

Yes and NOW! Do it Captain, you owe your country this favor!!! Don't hesitate, ENLIST NOW!!! Don't even pack a bag they will provide everything you need! Hell, I even hear that already got their SPECIAL EDITION LIVE ACTION version of Combat Mission already setup and ready to go!

Do it! Do it NOW!!!

Madmatt

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[Guest Mirage2k]

My boss is in the Reserve. I could talk to him about it and get back to you.

-Andrew

[windstarz]

Reserve? Be a man go for the real thing. 4 years. By then you will have learned why military intelligence is an oxymoron. And why that cliche has stood the test of time. But in the end you will be glad you did it. If you survive it. Plus they will give you a pile of money if you qualify. Boot camp is a breeze nowadays also. They even got girls that wonder what those pointy things on the end of their guns are.

[Schrullenhaft]

You may want to take any advice here with a... huge dose of laxatives.

Are you planning on going to college ? If so then the Army Reserve may interfere with school. Especially if you get assigned to a unit that gets called up for duty (which more and more are these days).

Your MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) may be determined by what billets are available at Reserve units within reasonable driving distance. You may find many of these billets to be unexciting and downright boring . You will also have to go to your "specialist school" sometime after bootcamp. Depending on your MOS this may be as short as three weeks to almost a year (though that is very rare - the technical ones can take almost that long). So bootcamp isn't the only thing you will need to consider time-wise.

While I assume that you aren't a recreational drug user, you will DEFINITELY have to not be one in the military. So even if you experiment with some drugs, you may find yourself in trouble if your unit has to have a urinalysis that month (or next). This can cause serious problems for you.

Be aware that most Reservist billets are often dull. You may just find yourself doing useless things. This isn't always true, but it often is (unfortunately). This can vary depending on the Reservist unit in your area.

And the final caveat I already mentioned. If your Reservist unit has special equipment that few active-duty ones have, then your chances of being deployed grow exponentially (this is often true of Reservist Air Refueling units in the Air Force). Depending on what you're doing with your life you can find this an incredible burden to bear as it can interfere drastically with your plans.

Well, these are the negatives... It's the recruiter's (unenviable) job to sell you on the positives.

[This message has been edited by Schrullenhaft (edited 06-14-2000).]

[pathfinder]

Shullenshraft (sp?) has it just about nailed...

I just spent the last 12 years in the Army Reserves so I just might know what the heck I am yakkin about here...

The money (for me anyways) was great but my unit was activated once and on standby twice since Desert shield/Storm, soooooo...ya gotta decide what is best for YOU....

oh yeah...this twelve years was after 8 1/2 years active...

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unca pathy will show ya the path,

if only he could find it himself!

[0311]

Maneri,

Have you considered the USMC. I know I am gonna take some flak for this-but you MOS don't mean jack to the corporate world. Forget about learning a trade in the military, use this as an experince to remember.

Join USMC reserves as an infantryman, go to college, and you'll have an unbeatable combo going for you. You'll have a degree and learn to work hard and never quit.

I contribute much of my success to the experiences I learned in boot camp and infantry training school.

If you do decide to go, go hard though! It will kick your @#$.

[CRourke]

I've heard from a friend in the army that you're better off going in after you get some college under your belt (assuming you can get accepted and secure any necessary loans). The education you get will help you secure a better rank and pay when you do join, and uncle sam is more anxious to help you pay off existing college debts than he is to loan you money for future college plans.

Take all this with the grains of salt necessary for a "I heard from a friend" story.

Chris

[Bullethead]

I second what Schrullenhaft says RE: MOS training, college, available billets in local units, likelihood of activation, and drugs. I also have a few other points.

Primarily, you first have to consider WHY you'd want to get in the service. If you see the service primarily as a way to learn a useful skill for a good civilian job, then I highly recommend you not enlist but instead go to a trade school. The Army, Navy, and Air Farce aren't as good at education as civvy schools, plus they make you do all the service crap in payment for what they teach you. OTOH, if what you want to do is kill people and blow things up, then join the Marines. When you get out, the only civvy-world useful skills you'll have will be ditch digging and toilet cleaning, but you'll have had a good time, will always find drinking buddies later in life, and can be assured of already being in a good prison gang when you end up in Hell.

Secondly, I'd make no decision until after the election. If Gore wins, then look for present trends to continue. More downsizing, more cut budgets, more idiotic deployments to places we have no business in. All of these are bad for reservists. The downsizing means most good billets are already filled, the cut budgets mean there is NO training, only busywork. And because of the downsizing, reservists are now almost always called up for the frequent deployments, so you get into combat zones without much training. It's only a matter of time before this results in a serious disaster. OTOH, if Bush wins, hopefully budgets will increase and with them force sizes and training. Also, hopefully there will be less stupid deployments. But that also depends on who controls Congress. So like I said, better wait until this time next year to make a call on this.

I was in the USMCR for 8 years BTW

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-Bullethead

jtweller@delphi.com

WW2 AFV Photos: people.delphi.com/jtweller/tanks/tanks.htm

[This message has been edited by Bullethead (edited 06-14-2000).]

[asl]

Manieri;

As a 37 year old who had the same plan in college, but didn't get in due to flunking the physical (didn't like my blood pressure),

I can say not joining the army reserves is my one great regret in life. I agree with another poster who said to get some college under your belt. I would have gone in after my junior year in college, and would have gone to OCS after basic. I had a tank unit picked out, now I get close enough in CM.

LOL ASL

[MarkEzra]

Ask Not What Your Country Can Do For You, Ask What you Can Do For Your Country.

JFK

[Guest grunto]

i would wait until clinton is gone before joining. he and his people are trying to ruin the u.s. military.

when i was in i joined the reserves and that 12 week bootcamp/ait for 11b (infantry -- dragon gunner) at ft. benning was one of the best times of my life. i mainly regret not having gone on to airborne/ranger training at the end.

when i returned to go to school and go to my unit, i found out that 'training brigade' didn't mean, 'we go out and play wargames once a month.' instead it meant 'we learn to be drill instructors.'

after that they let me go irr.

anyway the military is fairly fubar with clinton as coc.

andy

[guachi]

My ex-girlfriend/love of my life is in the Navy. She really hasn't had to do anything remotely military like. She's never even been on a ship.

She is in Naval intelligence translating Hebrew while stationed at Fort Gordon Army base in Augusta, GA. It helped that she had a college degree. Walked right into a good position.

Jason

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Betas available to everyone are just publicity stunts anyways. -FK

[Sgt.Rock]

I am not a recruiter so what I say is not the final or offical version of anything.

Think about it, I have done 10yrs in the Army Reserves after 4 active in the Corps.

Right now we are hurting for good bodies, so get a bonus, (if the recruter says there aren't any, hold out for one)also college money, vetrans benifits are other rewards. But now they want longer terms of service.(about 6 yrs)

Depending on your location, there are diffrent MOS and units. I would take the time to visit these units on their drill weekends, to get a feel for what they do. If there is good training, or if all you do is busy work. Your recruiter should be able to arrange this.

If you are looking for a MOS that is useable for an outside job, consider looking at the medical field.(prior college will help here)

You will get out of it exactly what you put in, no more, no less. Personally it was one of the best moves I ever made.

You need to research and descide how you see it fitting in with the rest of what you plan to do with your life, and what the hell it's only 6 years.

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The more you sweat in peace the less you bleed in war.

[Chris Jenkins]

Manieri, do not let the recruiter impress you by saying you got a high score your first try on the ASVAB. There are monkeys who do well on it. Taking it twice is like an admission of failure. You have to be stoned to flunk it.

DO NOT JOIN THE RESERVES! If you want the military experience, do a three-year tour in military intelligence. I started out in the infantry, and it is no place for a sane person. The fact is, peace-time infantry units get what no one else will take. I met the best and worst people in the world in the infantry. Some have a real interest in the military. Others (many) had to get out of town fast. I transferred to intelligence, and loved the work. People who like to study tactics join intelligence. Wait and do the real thing, recruiters are not to be trusted.

[Zamo]

Capt. Manieri,

If it is in your heart, than yes. You should join the reserves. I did. Now, eighteen years later I look back and miss it more than anything else in my life.

However, I must also advocate what our esteemed Bullethead and 0311 said, and must ask you to consider the Marines. I'm not going to fall into the trap alot of people do and bad mouth the other services, but I can and will offer a plug for the USMC. And naturally, I must also advocate becoming a Tanker. I can tell you from experiance that a reserve tank billit isn't dull. There is too much that needs to be done in a weekend for it to be dull. We trained hard and routinely outshot our active duty counter parts. Do yourself a favor and at least go talk to your friendly neighborhood Jarhead recruiter before making any decisions. Thats all I ask.

Somebody above stated that Army boot camp these days is easy...I don't think you'll find that at Parris Island, at least I pray you do not. Do something you'll be proud of for the REST OF YOUR LIFE!

Sehmel, C.H. (former)Sgt. "B" Co., 4th Tank Battalion, 4th MarDiv (Yakima)

Tank Commander of "Bravo-Two-Three"

[Newguy]

USMC! I am glad my 4 are over but I am glad I did it! I had some great times and learned a few things about life. Go all the way!

Uh Rah!

[Berlichtingen]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>He told me all the benefits of the US Army could offer. I took a practice Military aptitude test, and got a very high score on my first try. They said I'd be perfect for them. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

LOL! Oh man, I'm dyin' here! Sorry, Capt, but recruiters have been saying that since God created the Corps (there was no formal military prior to the USMC). My advise to you is if you are serious, go active duty (Marines if you want to be badass and wear sharp looking uniforms, Navy if... forget that one, Army if you want a chance at seeing Europe, Air Force if you want to spend 4 years in an almost civilian environment). There are a number of benefits to active duty that aren't listed in the VA pamphlets.

1) You're going for a job, and its down to you and another guy. You've got an honorable discharge and he doesn't have any military service... chances are, you get the job. Employers know that that service means you can handle stress and general BS better than someone who hasn't.

2) College is a breeze. If you go to college after HS, it can be tough (party, party, party). If you have served, it is much easier to pass up the party to study for the final than if you haven't.

3) There are a number of Govt. jobs that give preferential treatment to vets.

4) Depending on the state you enlist in, there may be vet benefits from the state. Example: I enlisted in Illinois and came back to Illinois when my enlistment was up. The state payed all the tuition for my time in college... my military education benefits payed for books and beer

5) bullethead's got it right... drinking buddies later in life... particularly former Marines... we are a clanish bunch

[WWACTON]

There's nothing wrong with spending 3 or so years in the service. I did it (USAF); so did my father (Army), brother (Army) and son (Navy). You'll learn discipline, responsibility, and all those other things that you need to earn a living in the world. Having said that, remember one thing: If the shooting starts, that contract you signed means you can find the bad guys shooting at you, and there's not a damned thing you can do about it.

Cheers

Bill Acton

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"If at first you don't succeed, get a bigger hammer."

Anon

[Phoenix]

All I hear about is Army and Marines here.

When I was 19 I wanted to get into this growing little field called "telecommunications". Wasn't sure how to do it. Saw an ad in the paper.

I hooked up with local Air National Guard unit. Got into Wideband Radio (microwave stuff) and went off to school for 6.5 months to learn it. All paid of course.

Came back and spent the rest of the 5 years in my Combat Communications sqaudron. No airplanes. No flying. Dirt and radios.

A few months after returning I was hired by a very large telecom company on the spot. That was 15 years ago and Im still with em.

I feel unless you want to make a career out of the military you may want to get in a career field that carries over a bit to civilian life.

Disregard the results of the ASVAB test. They mean nada. Pick a career field you want to be in and get a guarantee that's what you get.

I was in basic training with many clueless zoomies in the regular Air Force who went in on an "open contract". Basically they let the Air Force decide what job they would get. Oddly enough most became security police. (Like an MP) And Im being polite when I said most of those guys weren't the sharpest tools in the shed.

Anyway, that's my .02

I think the Guard/Reserves is a great option. Ignore any he man he man bull**** about

"Be a man, join the REAL Army".

Be a man and do what is right for you.

[This message has been edited by Phoenix (edited 06-15-2000).]

[Marty]

Capt M,

(by the way if it's Army reserve that should be CPT M instead!)

At one time I would have said go for it, but now I believe entering the reserves without prior active duty time is questionable, at best, for the following reasons:

1. Several people have mentioned the MOS, or job skill that you will be trained in. The only way to get a really worthwhile one and build on it is to enter active duty for about 3 years. Most of the worthwhile skills can take up to a year to train and the military then wants a few years of use out of you. Which is just as well, since for most of those skills to really be marketable you want to have day-to-day experience, not just schooling. Unless of course, you are just planning on a social tour in the reserves, partying on the weekends and the like.

2. There is a reason why there is an increased chance of deployments by the reserves. Prior to the early 90's the two components - active and reserve had a pretty clear line drawn between them. Most active divisions were fully capable and self-supporting. Reserve divisions were basically just more of the same, with there being some specialty units also. Thus, the reserves would usually only be called when the active divisions needed additional help. In the early 90's, the Army reorganized itself - I think under the direction of GEN Sullivan. It was restructured as part of the drawdown after the Cold War so that every active division has units which are reserves. Thus, when that division goes, so do they. The idea was to make sure that committing the active (professional) Army kept everyone's attention by also committing the reserves, instead of the separation that seemed to be growing between the professional Army and US society. For example, right now there is a reserve battalion from Maryland and one from Texas in Bosnia - gone for about 9 months.

3. Funding for the military is seriously low now. I know that many people believe the Defense budget is too high, and there are lots of statistics to go whatever way you want. The problem is that a) Defense funds are used to cover whatever is seen as the threat of the day - whether military, peacekeeping, or some other national emrgency or "good idea." The funds that are actually spent on defense are usually robbing Peter to pay Paul - use Research and Development funds (R&D) to cover Current Operations (like Kosovo) because nobody stood up to say we don't have enough money. This type of thing has been going on since the Berlin Wall came down. My own personal opinion is that the one thing that this Administration and Congress can be faulted for is that now everything is about money in the government. At one time the first question was "Does this mission need to be done?" Now that's the second or later question. The first one is "Who's paying for it?" What this has led to is the situation that a lot of stuff doesn't get done simply because it's more painful to try and get the money than to do the 4-person job with 2 people.

4. The funding issues mean that, in the military (active and reserve), fewer people do more with less. This leads to extended duty tours away from home and longer duty hours in some locales.

5. A considerable portion of the military is being used on peacekeeping missions and other more police-like assignments. This puts a lot of stress on maintaining a combat capability. It is also not what many of the troops thought they would be doing when they signed up.

6. If you are looking for that chance to really challenge yourself which many people seek; unless you go into the Marine Corps or get into Airborne/Ranger/Special Forces then the challenge is fading away. The "Warrior Spirit" is being replaced with a more business oriented and socially conscious attitude that makes the service less a "calling" and more a "job."

I firmly believe that the military still can be a good life-enhancing choice, but not as a novice reservist. If you seriously have an interest in the military, then look into getting one of the ROTC or active duty loan programs where they will pay for your four year college tuition, becoming an officer upon graduation. The Army is losing many of its junior officers (CPT & MAJ) and is going to have a critical need for more in the future.

If you don't want to go that route because you want to "get on with it," then enlist for active duty and get the most technically oriented MOS you can (computers, communications, etc.) because the service can provide excellent training in those areas. In the less technical areas, the training can be rather tedious and obviously won't be as marketable when you get out.

Even with the current problems in the military services, they sitll have three advantages for someone entering directly out of school.:

1. You will find that for any given level of expertise in a field, the military almost always gives its junior people far more responsibility and experience than they will usually have in a civilian equivalent position. (But guess who gets paid better )

2. Although some jokes have been made about it, you really do develop a deep sense of cameraderie and long term (often lifelong) friendships.

3. The chance to travel to areas that you might otherwise have to wait a long time to see. (No, I don't mean On the Front Lines!)

And of course... ...if you are going to look for fellow wargamers, what better crowd to search!

At any rate, if you are going to do it, do it for real and get something worthwhile out of the experience. If not, then use your time more effectively by going to college or some type of civilian technical training.

[Jimmy 4 Eyes]

I agree with a lot of the other comments. You do have to realise the very real possibilty of being activated as a reservist. Make sure that you are joining for the right reasons. College money is good and I agree make them give you a bonus, the economy is good so the military is short good bodies. I spent 7 years in the USMC reserves. The last three I had a lot of conflicts with my job. ( I was obligated for two of the three). So keep in mind your future plans.

I would highly recommend the Marines, for all of the reasons everyone else has stated. I think in the Marines there is a closer bond then in the larger branches.

As for the ASVAB and your high score (enough said). I don't think even with a lobotomy you could fail that test.

I was in boot camp when the Marines landed in Kuwait (I was 21) and I was surprised to see how many recruits suddenly realized that they did not think they could kill anybody or how it dawned on many of them that this wasn't just a cool way to get a uniform and pick up chicks. So think about that stuff before you decide.

Good luck in whatever you decide... but if you are still thinking about it see what the Marines has to offer.

[Guest MantaRay]

And be very careful with that recruiter, they are basicaly salesmen with one of the hardest sells in this world right now. I scored a 99 on the ASVAB(Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) and you should have heard some of the things they said to me. I actually signed up for the Marine Corps, but the recruiter lied his ass off, and I had to get a congressman in my state that I was from(Thank You Sen McCain)to get me out of the commitment.

But the Army is a love/hate thing. Some are miserable, some love it. You will find that the guys and gals of todays Military are for the most part just like you, and a lot of them don't get the MOS that they want and are very digruntled.

There is one thing that you may wish to consider though. In peacetime, the Armed Services are such a great learning tool when you are young. I am not talking about what the Army teaches you, but what you learn from being in other countries and what you take from other societies. No other job in the world has you working so closely with ppl from such diverse places. And you get free travel, great benefits, low pay, and for me personaly...I got to make a difference.

I say go Airborne, do it for 4 years.

Ray

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When asked, "How many moves do you see ahead?", CAPABLANCA replied: "One move - the best one."

MantaRays 5 Pages

Hardcore Gamers Daily

[Guest Seimerst]

Well... Your post has generated a lot of good things for you to think upon. Research, research, visit, and explore. I will retire next year with 30 years active duty in the Army and have had the privilege of working with many reserve units and the occasional Nation Guard unit. In fact, the 49th Infantry Division (Lone Star Div) from Texas is the current HQ of Task Force Eagle-- deployed to Bosnia. I hade the opportunity to talk to many of the troops from that unit and most are delighted (and quite surprised) to be over here and a few are still in a state of shock. But Eagle Base has had some quality of life improvements to include some stateside staples like Burger King, Baskin and Robins Ice Cream etc.

What I am about to say is worth exactly what it is going to cost you--- nothing. If you are not sure what it is you want to do when you grow up (and I still haven't done that), go the active duty enlistment (any service that offers what you are interested in)-- then after your intial hitch, you can continue on, switch to the reserves, go to college (and stay in reserves)-- lots of options. Everything said about your unit being activated at a most inoportune time is true as well as how much employers value what a former service member brings to the table. One thing I can also tell you for certain-- don't join to get rich-- there is very little real money in it if you have a family (and I am at the upper end of the pay scale too!!!)-- but there are more important things in life than how much is in your bank statement. I'd do it all over again-- lots of good, some bad, but what's new about that. Great friends, incredible memories and the knowledge that you and your mates have made a difference in the world. Good luck-- oh yes, some last advise my uncle gave me before I raised my hand to take my oath: "For the first six months in, keep your mouth shut and your bowels open."

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Capt. Manieri:

I recently met with a recruiter for the US Army reserve. He told me all the benefits of the US Army could offer. I took a practice Military aptitude test, and got a very high score on my first try. They said I'd be perfect for them. But, I'm still not sure, I mean...it's kinda scary. What if I don't like it..plus, I'll have to devote an entire summer to Basic training. I don't know! Help me somebody..what should I do?! <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

[eosmund]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by guachi:

My ex-girlfriend/love of my life is in the Navy. She really hasn't had to do anything remotely military like. She's never even been on a ship.

She is in Naval intelligence translating Hebrew while stationed at Fort Gordon Army base in Augusta, GA. It helped that she had a college degree. Walked right into a good position.

Jason

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Aaahh Fort Gordon, GA. I did my AIT there at the time I was a 31K (wiredog) now it's 31U. I've been in 12 years, went to college, got a good job in my field. So, I don't think it's that bad. I'm in an Air Assault Infantry National Guard unit and our training is pretty hard core now. We have people going to other countries every year for 2-3 weeks. If you don't mind giving up the time Basic Training and AIT, the one weekend a month, and 2 weeks a year I would say go for it. You are not tied down by active duty so you can still go to school and get your degree bfore the age of 23-24.

I don't regret doing it, I feel I owe it to my country and the countless veterans who fought and died for my country in the struggle against fascism more than 50 years ago.