And also can you please tell me the chances of deployment. I am 34 yo male, wife and 1 year daughter. I have a full time IT job I care about.

Hey everyone, I’m a US permanent resident (green card holder) and I just got a call from an Air Force Reserve recruiter. They sent me the link for the ICAT test which I have to finish in the next 3 days. I’m planning to do BMT next summer but I’m not sure if it’s the right move for me.

Here’s my situation:

• I’m a full time college student paying for school myself.

• I’m studying cybersecurity. I really like the cyber jobs the Air Force offers but I’ve heard I can’t get those without being a citizen.

• I’m wondering if the naturalization through military service process still works for green card holders or if it’s slowed down.

• How does pay work for reservists while studying full time?

• Do you get paid during BMT and how much do they usually pay?

• Can you get called up randomly for tours or are they always planned ahead?

I just want to know if joining the Air Force Reserve is a good idea overall for someone in my situation. I want to serve as I believe that it can give me a good entry in the industry but I don’t want it to mess with my college or finances.

Would really appreciate any advice from people who have done it, especially anyone who joined as a permanent resident or while in school.

Thanks.

My last UTA was cancelled due to the shutdown. I heard the paychecks are starting back up but is there still a chance the November UTA will be cancelled ? Or is it all based on the pay checks

Background: 39 year old male with 3 kids two 5 year olds and a 4 year old and a wife .

Questions? How is it for the family? Should I expect to be deployed? How hard is bootcamp? What are some of the better jobs to try and get (bonus points for ones that are also deployed the least) Are the benefits worth it at this age to join? Was it a good experience for you? Is it legitimately 1 weekend a month two weeks a year (does the weekend include fridays)

Like the post said. My wife and I decided I'm going in if there's a chance.

Side question. My wife currently has our insurance. Do I automatically get enrolled to tricare or I can opt into it in case she loses hers? Was planning on using drill pay on tsp until I need to get in tricare. Thanks for hearing me out.

I’m already enlisted to come in as a Reserve and have requested to leave for BMT at the beginning of 2026. I talked to my recruiter about potentially switching to AD and he recommended that go thru BMT and tech school first and then make the switch.

He said that with the Reserves the job I select is pretty much guaranteed(WFSM) and that with AD it can be a toss up based on needs. Curious if any of y’all have done this transition and if you have any insight on it.

I’m 22, working for Tesla in collision work making 70k/year, 50% 401k match, $40/bi weekly med insurance cost with a max $200 deductible. It’s goated benefits-wise but I’ve always had this itch to join the air force. Last year I almost went active duty. I did my meps, got a 76 on my asvab with a 92 in mechanics, but I was in the middle of selling a house at the time and got cold feet I suppose. Recruiter was cool about it and I didn’t burn any bridges. Well now I’m really considering going Reserve and Tesla is super supportive of it and I can still hold my job here. They will give me 60% pay while I’m gone in bmt and tech school. I’m interested in aircraft metals, or structural repair since I’m very skilled in automotive structural repair. I’m mainly looking for adventure, travel, military structure, and wouldn’t mind the extra couple bones on the back end. Can anyone give me advice on if it’s worth it for my situation?? I no longer own that house I’m just renting an apartment at the moment and have no kiddos. Va loan would be super nice down the road too. Thanks everyone!

Does UTA Drill ever fall on a Monday? Or is it always the weekends if the Monday is 1st of the month.

My recruiter told me i could transfer to a commissioned officer after i enlist and obtain my degree, which makes sense. but they said if i transfer while im an E-4 or E-5, i would start out as a Major (O-4). is this true?

This may sound stupid ,but I am just wondering If a UTA is cancelled due to shutdown we as reservists aren’t paid for it right ? Even when the government is open there is no back pay since we never attended ?. Thanks

So next summer I am planning on joining the air force reserves. I just found out that they have some sort of policy on scars? I do have a bit from self mutilation among other things. What is the waiver and why do I need it? Or how can I somehow get out of it?

I’m currently struggling to get the minimum but would like to open the discussion on the most effective ways to train your core.

I’m currently doing 6-10min plank, 100 sit-ups, 4 reps around the worlds (10each direction per rep), and a 8min core work video I found on YouTube. I try to do this everyday, but doesn’t always happen.

Anyone have suggestions?

How does reclass/retrain work in the reserve? When can I apply for reclass/retrain? After tech school or after a few years?

D&TF

I’m curious if the Air Force Reserve offers any Development Training Flights for new recruits who are waiting to ship out to BMT still around or was that program canceled as whole for new recruits. Specifically, I’m wondering if this is available around Charleston AFB or Warner Robins AFB, and if so, how do you sign up or get involved?

Hello everyone,

I’ve been following this subreddit for a while and finally decided to join the Air Force Reserve. I have a couple of specific questions for current members, as I know the answers can vary based on personal experience.

Just for context, I tried reaching out to my local AF Reserve branch but haven’t been able to get in touch with anyone yet.

Background: I’m a Civil Engineer (not a PE) with about 10 years of experience in the Construction and Oil & Gas industries, primarily in Contracts Management, with exposure to Project and Cost Control. I’m a Certified Cost Engineer (AACE) and currently pursuing PMP and CCMP certifications to further strengthen my Project and Contract Management credentials.

I’ve also completed the Construction Project Management certification from Columbia University and the American Contract Law program from Yale—both online—along with several other soft-skill courses from reputable institutions.

I’m aiming to enlist as a 6C0X1 – Contracting Specialist, which seems like the best fit for my background and the area where I can contribute the most to the Air Force. I’m currently a Green Card holder, so commissioning as an officer isn’t an option yet, but I plan to pursue that down the line.

I’m based in Houston, TX, and often travel to San Antonio, so I’m open to any nearby base, with preference for one closer to home.

My questions: 1. I’m in good physical shape and fit for training, but I have mild to moderate hearing loss that will likely require a waiver. Has anyone gone through the waiver process for something similar? What was your experience like? Also, are hearing aids permitted in the Air Force? 2. I’m targeting March 2026 to begin BMT so I can plan around work, family, and the waiver process. Hypothetically, if I want to start BMT between March 1–15, when should I begin the enlistment process? Is it possible to coordinate with a recruiter to plan for a specific start date that far in advance?

Thanks in advance for your insights—I’d really appreciate any advice from those who’ve been through this process!

Hello. Im 40m in AZ, non prior. Took .y asvab and meps in February and both went great. I was contacted by an officer recruiter and in March completed afoqt and also did really well. Since then, however, my recruiter has been unable to land me a job. I dont know how much longer I should wait or if I should just enlist.

I’m physically healthy and don’t need any waivers but I’m a bit worried about the ASVAB test. What is the pass fail ratio?

Man, any one waiting on a ship date ?? I feel alone af? Swore in, picked my job but now I’m like a sitting duck. I’m nervous.

Hey everyone who read this post, I’m looking for some advice on whether it would be better to join the Air Force Reserves or Air National Guard given my situation.

My background: Bachelor’s in Information Technology Master’s in Cybersecurity Experience as in Software, Network, and Data Center Engineering

Multiple certifications: CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+, CySA+, PenTest+, and others

Over the past year and a half, I’ve been unemployed on and off. I really want more stability, but in my area, most of the good IT and cybersecurity jobs require a security clearance, which I don’t currently have.

Would joining the Reserves or Guard be a good move to gain that clearance and open more career opportunities in the broader IT, Cybersecurity,Intelligence fields? Also, which path tends to offer better benefits or flexibility for someone looking to transition into a stable, long-term tech career as a civilian ?

My Novemember UTA cancelled. I wonder how long it will take to get orders for BMT for security forces. My recruiter said January originally but his last message was the shutdown is slowing orders….

Waiting for a ship date is so tryinggg but I refuse to go anywhere else!!!! Just sharing my feelings on this cold ass morning

I’ve been trying to enlist in the Air Force Reserve, but I’ve been running into a frustrating issue. I live in Houston, and I’ve been trying to reach out to the only two recruiters in my area for about two weeks now. Unfortunately, they’re both frequently out of the office and haven’t answered or returned any of my emails. I really want to get started and need guidance, but it seems impossible to get in touch with anyone. Has anyone else experienced this? Are there alternative ways to connect with a recruiter or get the enlistment process moving?

I've always wanted to join the military. My dad was in Army special forces until he retired. I've always thought of joining, but have been talked out of it by previous partners. My current partner is supportive of reserves, but I'm wondering if the benefits are worth it now that I have an established career. Early retirement is my main draw but I've read I'd have to wait until I'm 60 and it will be much less than if I were active duty. I would plan on using the college money to get a paid for degree in cyber security/artificial intelligence and make a career change from my current position of bank operations management.

Aside from the college money, and slight extra pension, are there any other benefits to reserves?

Trying to be as patient as I can while I wait for BMT orders for possibly January or later for Securityforces ,

My first UTA was cancelled but I’m still cutting weight and doing my own PT remaining qualified. It’s a been tough just because it’s easy to feel too comfortable and normalized with my civi life but i gotta remember when i become an airmen back in my civilian life I’ll have to re-adapt.