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I am going to join the reserves and was thinking which job would be the best job. I am torn between MA and firefighter. I currently work in the medical field and would like to know from others in those fields and the reserves. Which one would be better to go into being that when I join, I plan on retiring from it.
Posted in these groups: The Reserves Network
Reserves
Reserves
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 5
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Are you aware that you don't retire from the Reserves in the same sense that you retire from Active Duty? In the Active Duty you complete 20 years, retire, and draw an annuity immediately upon retirement. In the reserves you work one weekend a month and two weeks a year (not counting deployments), accrue points for retirement, and draw a retirement once you're in your 60s. When you say, "Retire from..." I don't want you to be misinformed with your future financial planning. Your primary job and financial support will come from your current civilian employment, with your RC mostly covering your benefits, health care, and some excellent tuition assistance resources.
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Jo Williams
Thank you. I do know that. My father retired from the Navy and he explained that to me. But I was also explained that I could go active duty and things would change also.
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CSM William Everroad
I would be careful with that "go to active duty" line. There are limits on when and how you can apply to transfer to active duty from the reserves. It depends on your MOS, AD strength, TIS and rank at time of application for transfer. Additionally, such a transfer could affect any contract benefits you have.
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SFC (Join to see)
CSM William Everroad absolutely. It's a pretty commonly spouted thing for people to say that RC Soldiers can "just go active duty". The truth is, each case is different, most transitions take a while and are based on all the criteria you stated, and can have serious adverse affects on the Soldiers finances or career progression. I see prior service RC Soldiers in my office every day who are behind their peers, experiencing pay or DOR issues, and had to choose an MOS they didn't want in order to come on active duty.
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CSM William Everroad
SFC (Join to see) - Same thing, I have heard so many RC Soldiers talking about how they are going to transfer to AD after their first contract, then it stretches to the second because they need to finish their degree, then the third or they have made SSG and their plans get derailed. I always tell them, if that is your plan, find out what it takes to get there and when you need to get it done by and stick to it.
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MSgt (Join to see)
Potentially, worth asking the recruiter about before you decide. There are waivers for everything.
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