I've been wondering alot lately, what it would be like if I decided to join the reserves. I would do Navy reserves. I've never been in the military, and I would mostly do it for the extra income. I haven't talked to a recruiter yet, but I thought i'd see if any of you ladies have ever pondered this, or have actually signed up for reserves yourselves. I think my main curiosity is what rate i would qualify for and what rank with a Master's Degree. Also of course I'd love to see what kind of bonus I could qualify for :giggle. I already know all about the time you have to put into reserves and the chances of being called up for active duty. My only real question would be what bootcamp training would be like for a reservist whose never been in the military before. thoughts?

one of my best friends is in the reserves and she loves it. She is the marines and she went to Japan with them

I think I'd take into consideration that you have to go to training for a significant period of time upon joining up as well. I'm not sure what your career field is, but as a professional, you definitely want to take the effect that would have on your job, your clients, your employer, etc. for both training and deployment. Everyone in the reserves I know has come home to unemployment, despite the fact they really aren't supposed to.

Yea, I think the time I would have to take for bootcamp and training, which I assume would be a couple of months, would be my main reason for NOT joining reserves.

Were you planning to join as enlisted or officer? If you are in a qualified field, it looks like you could bust through training in no time with a direct commission.

After a quick search, that's what I found:


Qualified enlistees with no prior military service can enter the Navy Reserve through specialized dedicated Enlisted and Officer programs. These programs are designed for specialized skills and/or ratings that the Navy Reserve considers to be in high demand.

APG (Advanced Pay Grade)
High demand skills could mean a higher pay grade. If you are employed in a civilian occupation that corresponds with an undermanned Navy Reserve rating, you can enter the Navy Reserve at an advanced pay grade (higher pay rate than normally assigned to a specific job). To enter through this program, you must have a qualifying ASVAB score and be physically qualified. A three-year enlistment is also required.

To qualify, you must be currently employed or have been employed within the past 12 months in civilian fields comparable to the ratings for which you are applying. You should also not have prior service, active or inactive, within two previous years in ratings convertible to the ratings for which you are applying. You must also show sufficient documentation of professional and supervisory experience on a resumé, along with employer and personal recommendations.

After enlisting, you will be assigned the permanent pay grade of E-3. Go to
Pay Charts to learn more about pay.

Accelerated Initial Accession Program (AIA)
Jumpstart your career. The Navy Reserve Accelerated Initial Accession (AlA) program allows men and women without prior service to enlist in the Navy Reserve to fill nondesignated Fireman (FN), Seaman (SN), and Airman (AN) positions. This enlistment option enables you to eventually qualify for one of several Navy ratings (skill specialties) through on-the-job apprenticeship training.

Direct Appointment (Officer)
If you are a college-educated professional in one of the specialty areas sought by the Navy Reserve, you may receive a direct appointment as a commissioned Navy Officer.

Direct commissions are available to U.S. citizens with professional expertise in the following fields: Engineering, Civil Engineering, Public Affairs, Clergy, Cryptology, Intelligence, Oceanography, Merchant Marine and Business Management.

As a newly commissioned Officer, you will attend the two-week Direct Commission Officer Indoctrination Course in Pensacola, Florida.

I would want to go in as an Officer. I think with my experience and degree in Human Resources maybe I would qualify for the Public Affairs field. If i did do this, I would definitely only do it if I could go in at a high rank, AND if I got a REALLY good bonus.

I dunno if you've been already, but if you go to navyreserve.com they have a lot of info on there!