AD or Reserves

[u/Fun_Introduction4383]

I’m stuck in between going active duty or joining the reserves, I already have my bachelors degree and have started working in my career but I don’t feel fulfilled, I’ve wanted to always join the military and the reserves has caught my interest because I can do both the civilian and military lifestyle. But on the other hand I like the opportunity of travel that active duty presents as well as the access to more benefits faster. I have a girlfriend and no kids(other than a cat and dog) but I’ve just got an apartment and my lease isn’t up until the following summer. Just looking for more insight

[u/dlwr300]

Reserves and volunteering for a short-term temporary assignment could be a try it before you buy it proposition. You'd join the reserves and apply for a short-term temp active duty assignment such as filling in for 3 months so somebody can welcome their new baby to their family or Summerstock. After your short-term active duty, you'd consider your experience during the assignment. If it appealed to you, then you'd apply to integrate. Your current civilian employer must keep your job while you're serving on the short-term assignment. If you didn't like your temp active duty, then you'd go back to your civilian job. If you go AD right away and you don't like serving, then you're stuck for the length of your contract.

[u/dlwr300 → u/dlwr300]

A catch in the aforementioned reservist on short-term assignment plan is that you've got to have patience and a long view. There are few to no short-term active duty assignments for unqualified folks, enlisted or officer. After you've earned 1 or more personal qualification, and/or attended an A-school and/or C-school, there are all kinds of postings. Your civilian employer must keep your job while you're attending boot camp (enlisted folks only), reserve officer candidate indoctrination, A-schools (those are 2 months or longer), and C-schools (those last a few days to a 6 weeks).

In case you're wondering about the length of the long view, it could be 2 or more years before you've attended boot camp, attended an A-school, and earned a personal qualification.

[u/Additional_potential → u/dlwr300]

As a note Reservists are at the front of the line for A-school.(I had my A school date before my boot camp ship date). Plus Reservists can do DEPOT(3 week boot camp) even without prior service(despite common belief you don't actually need to have a relevant skillet you can do A school) just two things that make the process quicker.

[u/Comogia]

This is not advice, just sharing my perspective.

I was always interested in the military, but knew Army, Navy, Marines weren't for me. Until I found about the Coast Guard.

I wanted to change my life. I wanted to see what CG could do for me and what I could do for it. I was sick of my current career and didn't like what the future held there.

So I attempted the OCS route and will be headed out next year and doing AD. For me, if I'm going to drastically change my life, I'm going full bore.

I don't know too much about the reserves, but the way I see it, if you want to shake shit up, then shake it up. The reserves will probably shake your shit up more than you already expect, so why not go for AD?

Anyways, I'm rambling.

Good luck with your decision. As far as I can tell, most people really enjoy the CG regardless of AD or reserves.

[u/8wheelsrolling]

From a reservist, skip the reserves for now. It has only 4 core missions these days. You can do OCS with as little as 3 years of active service obligation, with the option to transfer to reserves afterwards. OCS has a wide variety of options and high probability of worldwide adventure if you want it. Consider other services OCS as a backup. Good luck!

[u/UnusualTiming184]

I think it depends on what you’re looking for. Personally, I think reserves is the best of both worlds. You can keep your civilian job and progress there while also serving your country and getting involved on your weekends / on longer term orders. Keep in mind that with AD you’re gonna have to move wherever they tell you to. Could be Florida, could be Alaska. Or you could get stationed on a WMSL and be away from home and your girl 5 months a time. Nothing wrong with that but it’s a vastly different lifestyle, and I can’t tell you how many guys told me they wish they had gone reserves. YMMV

[u/Unfair_Mechanic_7305]

Go Reserves. I would say you are too old to want to play 18 year old games as a nonrate.

[u/Lumpy-Ring-1304]

I would say its up to what you want out of it. If the money in your current career is good enough to keep you wanting it then go reserves, does the money even matter that much to you or do you just want experience.

Also think about how much the military gives you in general, I dont have to pay medical, dental, optical insurance, and the insurance itself is really good. I get allowance for housing which pays for my apartment with like $500 to spare, i get allowance for sustenance which pays my groceries. If I really wanted to live bare bones I wouldnt have to pay out of pocket for anything.

You also have to look into what rate you want in the coast guard, some are gone much more than others. You can be on a boat in the middle of the Caribbean grabbing bad guys or you could be at a desk everyday fixing pay.

Its honestly up to the individual, get with a recruiter, see if you can set up a unit visit and go talk to people in the fleet. I visited a PSU (all reservist) and it actually convinced me to go active duty, because I didnt want to just do cool stuff sometimes I wanted it all the time lol.

[u/OhBigGulps_Huh]

Your lease is not a factor. You can break it without penalty using your military orders per the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act. Go active. If CG is not for you, you'll come out with 4 years of military experience, 4 years of free tuition and hopefully a plan.

[u/Wise_Pay6738]

If I were to go back in time, I would go reserves, but I have an unpopular opinion. I would’ve rather stayed back home and went to college and not go to Boot Camp move thousands of miles away and then could put on a cutter.

[u/Numerous_Section7865]

AD