Pay for a Reservist

[Sofla91]

What is the average pay for a reservist a month? I'm assuming not much but was wondering if you guys knew exactly. Lets use the rank of LCpl for example.

Also, are there any bonuses available for enlisting under 4x4 reserves? I'd be going 0861.

Thanks in advance.

[Lisa 23]

How about filling out all of your profile so the Marines who are going to answer your questions, know who they are talking to....and you may also want to read the site rules in the poolee and Ask A Marine forums, too.

And it Marines, not guys.

[josephd]

There is no such thing as avg. pay for a reservist. You get paid based on how many drill periods you did for that month.

As an E-3 you will get right around $50 per drill and you will get usually 4-6 drills on a drill weekend. You will also have the opportunities to do other things with your unit and get drill pay for it. Over the last year I guess you could say I have averaged right around $400 per month but I also participate in a lot of other functions for my unit.

[FattyTheFerret]

You get paid for drill weekends. Each half day is one drill period. Usually you'll have a two day drill, sometimes three or four. Then calculate all the income taxes, TSP contributions, things like...

[Sofla91]

Thanks guys.

Regarding "per diem". The drill unit is 150 miles away. Will I most likely be entitled to it?

I'll be going to school so I'm guessing Saturday, and Sunday is when I'll be drilling so thats 4 times. I might have to find another method of income aswell, doesn't seem enough to live comfortably in college.

[Sofla91]

I also completely forgot about the pay for Boot Camp, MOS School, MCT (I'm going to be 0861) Jump School, and deployments, and maybe a bonus. Guess that makes up for it.

[Zulu 36]

Thanks guys.

Regarding "per diem". The drill unit is 150 miles away. Will I most likely be entitled to it?

I'll be going to school so I'm guessing Saturday, and Sunday is when I'll be drilling so thats 4 times. I might have to find another method of income aswell, doesn't seem enough to live comfortably in college.


It's not enough. Don't ever expect to be able to live on drill pay, even with per diem.

[Sgt Leprechaun]

Locked until I see a properly completed profile.

[Sgt Leprechaun]

Re-opening....but our poster gets a 7 day timeout.

Really, if you don't like:

Site rules and/or
Marine Corps Regulations.....

Theres always Barber College.

Or trade school.

Consider those options.

Because I forsee, even IF you make it through Recruit Training and become a Marine....unless you adjust yourself to the MARINE CORPS way of doing things....your career prospects with 'us' are very dim indeed.

[FattyTheFerret]

Thanks guys.

Regarding "per diem". The drill unit is 150 miles away. Will I most likely be entitled to it?

I'll be going to school so I'm guessing Saturday, and Sunday is when I'll be drilling so thats 4 times. I might have to find another method of income aswell, doesn't seem enough to live comfortably in college.

Probably not on a drill weekend. Per diem is usually for when you're on orders, as far as I know.

You will not live comfortably on drill pay. In fact, you will probably spend a bit of your drill pay commuting that 150 miles each way, maybe eating out with your unit that weekend and possibly on other Marine Corps related things.