Question about going from Active to Reserve

[Dreamer101]

I have a question about Active to Reserve, If I enlist for 4 years Active Duty do I have a option to be a Inactive Reserve or a Individual Ready Reserve? Would this have to be in my Active Duty contract when I sign?

Also is anyone aware of any enlistment bonuses or MOS bonuses currently being offered? Sorry for all the questions I just want to be informed. Thank you Marines.

[crazymjb]

Every military contract is at least 8 years (some aviation contracts are longer). The typical "4 year contract" includes 4 years of active duty time with 4 years of time owed to the IRR or Individual Ready Reserve. The day you swear in at MEPS is the day time starts coming off the back end of that contract, or your IRR time. Once in the IRR you will have the option of "drilling" non-obligated with an active reserve element in your area. By drilling non-obligated you have the option to stop at any point. To my knowlege, none of this requires any modification to your current contract. You simply come home and check into a local reserve unit. I believe this can be at any time during the remainder of your IRR contract.

If the reserve slots are for a different MOS you may need to attend the MOS specific school at some point, this MAY require an additional contract obligating you to "drill" with that unit for a set amount of time.

It is not uncommon at my unit to see new NCO's drop in just off active duty and stay for either 1 drill and leave, or stick around. We recently picked up a bunch of Sgts this way.

Mike

[Dreamer101]

I heard about Marines coming home after serving 4 years active duty and then just becoming a INACTIVE reserve. Is this possible or do you have to do the weekend warrior thing each month.

[Lisa 23]

Dreamer101, it's like you asked the same thing again that you did in you original post. Read crazymjb's thread, it explains what you're asking.

[TinDragon]

Out of curiosity, what's the point of drilling non-obligated? Do you get paid for the weekends you drill, do you keep military benefits you normally wouldn't have if you were only IRR, or is it just a way to "stay Marine"?

[Dreamer101]

Okay I think I get it correct me if I am wrong. If I come back from my 4 years of active duty I can do 1 drill and leave? The reason Im asking this question is once I come back from Active Duty I want to pursue a career in the civilian world but dont want to do the weekend warrior things. Does this mean you wont be considered a Marine anymore after your contract?

[Lisa 23]

And what's wrong with being a 'weekend warrior'? :evilgrin: You got something against those who are 'weekend warriors'?

[Dreamer101]

As already stated I said I would not want to be a weekend warrior because "I want to pursue a career in the civilian world" after my duty is complete.

[Lisa 23]

You do know that you can pursue a career in the civilan world being a reservist (weekend warrior), don't you?

[Old Marine]

Hey Dreamer:

When you spoke with your Recruiter did you ask him any questions? It sure does not look like it with all the posts you have asking question after question. It is part of the Recruiters job to answer your questions.

When you get to Boot Camp, if you are constantly asking your Drill Instructor questions, you are not going to like the answers you will be getting.

[Dreamer101]

You do know that you can pursue a career in the civilan world being a reservist (weekend warrior), don't you?


I know but you can make more money working at a bank from what I heard.

[Dreamer101]

Hey Dreamer:

When you spoke with your Recruiter did you ask him any questions? It sure does not look like it with all the posts you have asking question after question. It is part of the Recruiters job to answer your questions.

When you get to Boot Camp, if you are constantly asking your Drill Instructor questions, you are not going to like the answers you will be getting.


From what I know most recruiters just lie to get you into the Corps and don't care about you after so I don't bother asking my recruiter id rather as a Marine then a Marine recruiter these questions. You guys have nothing to gain by answering my questions truthfully but a recruiter has a lot to gain.

[Lisa 23]

First, it's you Marines, not you guys.
Second, I resent the fact you that you hate Marine Corps recruiters and think they all lie and that they don't care about you.

Let me tell you a little bit about my nephews recruiter who went above and beyond the call of duty.
About 3 weeks ago, a 19 year old LCpl from a town nearby, was killed in Afghanistan from and IED. My nephews recruiter, who also recruited this young LCpl, volunteered to go to Dover to escort this young Marine home. He had all of this to go through and deal with, along with being the SNCOIC of his RS.
So, don't diss all recruiters just because you think they "lie". They have a tough job that involves long hours.
If you feel that Marine Corps recruiters "lie" like you say, then maybe the Marine Corps isn't for you.
Oh, and how do you know that the Marines here aren't lying with the answers that are given? Just something for you to think about young man.

[Old Marine]

I know but you can make more money working at a bank from what I heard.

Only if you plan on robbing the bank.:evilgrin:

[Lisa 23]

Only if you plan on robbing the bank.:evilgrin:

LOL...good one! :thumbup:

[Old Marine]

From what I know most recruiters just lie to get you into the Corps and don't care about you after so I don't bother asking my recruiter id rather as a Marine then a Marine recruiter these questions. You guys have nothing to gain by answering my questions truthfully but a recruiter has a lot to gain.

These days there are kids like you tearing down the Recruiters door to enlist, so he has no reason to tell you lies. All these things you heard about Recruiters only happened when they had to beat the bushs to enlist people. Not so these days.:evilgrin:

[Sgt Leprechaun]

Tin Dragon, the IRR is sort of a way to keep your rank, if you decide to go reserve or back on active duty (it worked for me to a point, I actually re-enlisted into the IRR). <br />
You can also earn...

[Lisa 23]

As already stated I said I would not want to be a weekend warrior because "I want to pursue a career in the civilian world" after my duty is complete.

A little something more to add about being a reservist.
I know a retired Marine LtCol in the area I live in. After earning a degree in government, he served in the Marine Corps in the Vietnam War, earning a silver star. Also, after his active duty was up, he put in 27 years in the Marine Corps Reserves, from which he retired years ago. During his time in the reserves, he pursued graduate studies from college and went on to be the state representative in the area I live in for 25 years until his retirement about 3 1/2 years ago.

So, the point is, you can still pursue a civilian career and serve your country.

[crazymjb]

He is right in that drill becomes a bigger PITA than a lot of people initially think who are juggling civilian jobs and college. To answer your question AGAIN, unless you sign something funny, you do not HAVE to drill as a reservist, its merely an option.

In terms of why drill non-ob, some guys want the extra cash, or just aren't ready to get out of the reserves yet but don't quite want to re-sign yet. Also some guys need to promote before they can re-up, so they can promote while drilling non-ob and then re-enlist. I do know that some guys in my unit have their entire families health care covered for 150 bucks a month. If you consider money saved money earned, that's at least 800 bucks a month on top of drill pay.

Mike