Does Army Reserve Require Initial Boot Camp?

Soldiers in the Army Reserve must complete the same training as active-duty soldiers

. Training includes basic combat training and advanced individual training. After this initial training, Army Reserve soldiers are free to return to civilian life.

Can you join reserves without basic training?

Many people transfer to the reserves from the Active Component. But

you can join the National Guard or military reserves without prior military experience

.

How long is basic training for the reserves?

Basic training, or boot camp, lasts from

8-13 weeks

, depending on the branch. After you have finished boot camp, you will be sent to advanced individual training, or AIT, where you will receive in-depth training in your military occupational specialty (MOS) or rating.

Is Army Reserve annual training mandatory?

Can You Skip the Two Week Annual Training Requirement?

The two week Annual Training is a normal service requirement and is usually considered part of the minimum service requirement for the year

. However, it can, and often does, vary based on branch of service, unit, and career field.

Does everyone in the military have to go through boot camp?

All new recruits are required to go to basic training

, but not all recruits are new. Some may be prior-service recruits who are reentering the military after a break in service. Others may be active duty troops who decided to transition to a Guard or Reserve unit.

Can Army Reserve live on base?

Guard and Reserve members typically live in or near communities where they serve but

in general these service members live in the community not on the base where they train

.

Can you just join the reserves?

You can join the U.S. military reserves without prior military service if you meet the basic qualifications

. You must be a U.S. citizen or resident alien. You must pass a physical exam, a background check and the ASVAB test.

Is it worth joining the Army Reserves?

If you’re considering military service, there’s a good chance someone has mentioned joining the military reserves. Many consider the reserves as another stepping stone to serving their country.

It offers valuable benefits without having to give up your civilian job or schooling, with part time commitment requirements.

How long is the Army Reserve contract?

Anyone that joins the military in an active duty capacity will be serving in the Army full-time. This is generally four years of active service and four years of inactive service. Reservists, on the other hand, have

six-year

contracts of reserve service and two of inactive service typically.

How much does military reserves pay?

How much do the Reserves pay?

Army Reserve E1 with >2 Years Of Time In Grade/Time In Service: $3,639.51

(the Army official site points out that an E-1 will earn less in the first four months of military service than in successive months) The same Army Reservist with four years or more of time in grade/time in service earns $3,639.51.

Do Reserves get deployed?

They work for the military full time, may live on a military base, and

can be deployed at any time

. Persons in the Reserve or National Guard are not full-time active duty military personnel, although they can be deployed at any time should the need arise.

What happens if I don’t go to annual training?

It means that

members of the National Guard cannot be punished for missing weekend drills or failing to show up for the two weeks of annual training

. Unless called up to federal active duty service, the National Guard belongs to the individual state and not the federal government.

How often do Reserves drill?

Traditionally, drills are held

once a month on weekends

. On an average weekend, reservists are paid for four drills, five if the drill starts on a Friday. It is important to ask about a unit’s drill schedule before joining.

How many days a year do Army Reserves work?

By law, members of the U.S. Army Reserve and Army National Guard must generally train

38 or 39 days per year

, respectively, although some serve more or fewer days.

Can you join the military and skip basic training?

​

Yes, it is possible to fail basic training

. You could go through the trouble of leaving your home, job, family and friends and come back a failure. In fact, this happens to about 15% of recruits who join the military every year. Too many recruits I speak to think that it is impossible to fail basic training.

What’s the hardest Army basic training?

Fort Benning, GA

conducts Advanced Individual Training for the Army Infantry, which makes many think it also has the toughest Basic Training program.

Are Army Reserves paid?

As a Reservist

you get paid for the time you spend training, and a bonus payment for completing a certain amount of training days each year

. The pay scale that you’ll be on is based on what a Regular soldier with the same job and rank would get.

Can I go from Reserves to active duty?

With very few exceptions (mostly for medical professionals),

one cannot simply transfer from the Reserves/Guard to active duty

. One must get an approved discharge from the Reserve/Guard component and then separately process for enlistment (or commission) for an active duty service.

Is a Reservist considered a veteran?

A former Reservist is not a veteran unless called to active duty

. The Reserves can be called to active duty by the President or the Secretary of Defense. Approximately, 65,000 reserve troops are on active duty at any given moment, supporting military operations around the world.

Can you quit the Reserves?

Unlike other jobs you may quit at will,

the Army Reserves mandates that only unusual and sometimes extreme conditions can justify leaving prior to the end of your enlistment term

.

What happens if I miss a drill weekend?

If you miss a Navy Reserve drill weekend,

the Navy doesn’t hang you from the yardarm or make you walk the plank

. You get a second chance. After nine missed drills in a year, though, you might end up facing a captain’s mast or another, more formal administrative punishment.

How do Army reserves work?

Army Reserve Soldiers receive the same training as active-duty Soldiers. After Basic Combat Training (BCT) and Advanced Individual Training (AIT), Army Reserve Soldiers return to their civilian lives and spend one weekend a month and two weeks per year training to keep their skills sharp.

Can I join the reserves while working full time?

Yes you can work a full time job

and should have full time employment as the Guard provides little compensation. Most training is on weekends and longer drills are 2 weeks. Its military service, the company has to let you go and participate in it, especially if you are called for deployment (which is federal).

Is Reserve better than active duty?

Active duty is a better option for those looking for a secure full-time job with numerous benefits.

Reserve duty is a better option for those wishing to serve their country, build career skills, earn extra money, and access military benefits without making a full-time commitment

.

Do reservists get GI Bill?

The Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR) program offers up to 36 months of education and training benefits. If you’re a member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps or Coast Guard Reserve, Army National Guard, or Air National Guard, you may be eligible for this benefit.

What Reserve branch pays the most?

For overall pay and benefits, you simply can do no better than

the ADF

. This is the highest paid military branch.