Naval reserve...

[Helene]

...anyone a member??

I think I'm going into a mid-life crisis mode and I'm seriously considering entering the Naval Reserve. They are advertising as needing Clinical Social Workers. As a licensed professional, I would enter as an officer

Anyone ever enter a reservist role "mid life"?? Just looking to hear stories from those who have some knowledge of the pros/cons.

 

[natenapril]

Not sure exact age but don't you need to be under 35? You left out your actual age.

 

[Helene]

The age limit is 41. I'm "close" to the cut. My kids are now old enough to tolerate me having to be away for short periods.

I'm looking at this as an opportunity to develop myself professionally while laying the ground work for "semi-Retirement" in 10-15 years. The pay is wonderful ($2700 for a weekend). I wish I would have looked into this sooner.

 

[stm61]

The age limit is 41. I'm "close" to the cut. My kids are now old enough to tolerate me having to be away for short periods.

I'm looking at this as an opportunity to develop myself professionally while laying the ground work for "semi-Retirement" in 10-15 years. The pay is wonderful ($2700 for a weekend). I wish I would have looked into this sooner.

are you sure of that pay? I don't think they pay that much and I've been National Guard for 26 years (including active duty time). I know I sure don't make anything near that much! All branches use the same pay scale, based on time in service and rank. You need 20 years for a full retirement. Anything less then 20 doesn't give you a full retirement. They usually put you out at 60, but if you're under 41 now that shouldn't be to big a deal. If you made a typo and meant $270 a weekend, please realize they're gonna hit you up for taxes, insurance, and I can't remember what else they get from me. I think I gross about $350 and by the time they've deducted everything I take home between $250-275.

 

[natenapril]

No offense but you can pull up the pay chart online. You are NOT going to make over $2000 for 1 weekend a month. Have you talked to a recruiter? My Dh is a ANG recruiter. I can have him find a good Navy reserve recruiter to call you because I *think* your numbers are way off. Both in age and pay.

 

[Helene]

The information I was looking at is here:

http://www.navyreserve.com/benefits/officer/

Certainly, I can can be reading it wrong The rates posted may be monthly salaries for officers?? A reservist is then prorated based on the monthly totals??

I guess I'll wait and see if anyone contacts me. I'll post an update if/when I get called.

 

[*BTMRR*]

Looking at that chart, and knowing what my active duty officer relatives make monthly, I think the rates in the chart must be prorated for people serving one weekend a month. You'd get 4 days' pay per month as a reservist. Not sure how they would divide up the 2700 a month--by 30 or by 20 perhaps? That chart is really misleading.

By the way it's still not a bad deal if it's something you might find interesting. The benefits can be very good, depending on how close you live to a Commissary and space-A flights and so on. And, of course, you're doing a very good thing for your country. Best wishes, whatever you decide.

 

[stm61]

The information I was looking at is here:

http://www.navyreserve.com/benefits/officer/

Certainly, I can can be reading it wrong The rates posted may be monthly salaries for officers?? A reservist is then prorated based on the monthly totals??

I guess I'll wait and see if anyone contacts me. I'll post an update if/when I get called.

ok, I see where you're getting that $2700 from. That's the monthly pay for an active duty officer that has no prior experience (an O-1, a 2nd Lieutenant in the army, marines, or air force, the navy likes to be different and I can't remember what they call them). Reservists get paid for 4 days, even though we're only there 2 (because nobody would work for the small amount 2 days pay would be). You can google and find the exact amount. Also, the site said officers must be no older then 40 at the time of appointment. While they do waive that occasionally, usually for hard to fill jobs in the medical field or chaplains, it's rare. If you're just short of 41 now, you're not going to make the cut off. From the time you fill out the paper work, to the time you accept the commission is usually at least 6 months, more if you can't be commissioned until a school is completed. If you're really serious about joining, I'd visit the local navy reserve recruiter in person. He'd be able to tell you what you qualify for, what the benefits are, etc. Also, even though you're a reservist, you still have to pass whatever the Navy's current PT test is. I don't know what the navy requires, but the AF just changed theirs to a 1 1/2 mile run plus sit-ups and push ups.

 

[natenapril]

ok, I see where you're getting that $2700 from. That's the monthly pay for an active duty officer that has no prior experience (an O-1, a 2nd Lieutenant in the army, marines, or air force, the navy likes to be different and I can't remember what they call them). Reservists get paid for 4 days, even though we're only there 2 (because nobody would work for the small amount 2 days pay would be). You can google and find the exact amount. Also, the site said officers must be no older then 40 at the time of appointment. While they do waive that occasionally, usually for hard to fill jobs in the medical field or chaplains, it's rare. If you're just short of 41 now, you're not going to make the cut off. From the time you fill out the paper work, to the time you accept the commission is usually at least 6 months, more if you can't be commissioned until a school is completed. If you're really serious about joining, I'd visit the local navy reserve recruiter in person. He'd be able to tell you what you qualify for, what the benefits are, etc. Also, even though you're a reservist, you still have to pass whatever the Navy's current PT test is. I don't know what the navy requires, but the AF just changed theirs to a 1 1/2 mile run plus sit-ups and push ups.

This is exactly the way I understand it as well

 

[rparmfamily]

I think you need to talk to an officer recruiter as well. And good luck! We've enjoyed our time as a Navy family!