Army Reserve thoughts?

Just be aware that with the current military overseas deployment situation, there is not guarantee that you will always get to stay at home and work your regular job. Many many National Guard and Reservest are currently deployed overseas at this time. Some reservests have deployed 2 and 3 times in the last ten years.This comes from a retired U.S. Army 1SG with 23 1/2 years active duty.

 

If you join the U.S. Army Reserve, you will very likely get sent to a foreign country on active duty. The U.S. military relies very heavily on the reserves these days.

You can get grants to get a bachelor's degree, if that is what you want.

If you want to serve in the military, that is great. Just know what to expect.

I see you are proud of your Greek ancestry. I have met James "Maggie" Megellas. He is the son of Greek immigrants and the highest decorated officer of the 82nd Airborne Division. He wrote "All the Way to Berlin" about his combat experience in World War II. If you watch the movie "A Bridge Too Far" and the river crossing scene, Megellas was part of the river crossing as part of Operation Market Garden.

Good luck in whatever you choose to do.

 

My nephew is joining the Army Reserves, however he had second thoughts....it is not all cracked up to be in the Reserves so he decided to go enlist for the 4 year term, full time Army soldier. He will be heading out for basic training in NC in May and he wanted to go overseas and experience life. He has been living at home, working for the seed company with minimal wages, can not make it out on his own since three or four years ago he graduated from high school. My sister was readyt o kick his butt out but glad he is going into the Army.

Whatever decision you go, make sure it is a good one. Once you join, the teachings, experiences and expectations would exceed so much more than what you are doing right now.

 

I was in the Army Reserves and it really helped me get a kick start on my career. Be sure to choose a MOS that will be beneficial to your civilian life.

Basic Training and AIT was a lot of fun. No joking, if I could do it again I would.
The only thing about the reserve is once you get back home and situated in your normal civilian life you are going to hate doing the one weekend out for a month deal. It interferes with plans and is extremely boring. At least this was my case. And as others have noted, be open for going to Afghanistan because you will have good chances of being deployed there.

 

You shouldnt join for the benefits, but because you want to join. The military is down sizing quite a bit now , so they are bit more selective with who they take. Some MOSs are being done by civis now(most gate guards are civis now and not by soldiers). So pick carefully what you do. Do you speak perfect greek by any chances or atleast really well? Maybe linguist would be something.

 

Talk to some that are in there currently that you know personally. As a youth I had other plans and the Army was not part of it. Of course when I was in my teens the army was for dropouts the smart ones went into airforce. I think it is very different know days and you need a diploma. I have a friend that is retired marine corp and loved it but he told me that it was simple, you do what they say they take care of you. Good luck.

 

Please don't be offended, but it strikes me that you are joining for the wrong reasons. The purpose of the Army, whether Reserve or Regular is to defend our nation. If you do survive to get your "benefits" you will have earned them and much more.

 

Go ahead and join for the benefits. I'm sure that's a big reason for many people that join. With wars winding down your chances of getting shipped out are getting slimmer and slimmer. Just know that it's always a possibility.

 

Have you thought of joining your states military reserves? Most never leave there state an are there to only protect that state so are never shipped off.