United States Navy Reserve
 |
Seal of the Navy Reserve |
The
United States Navy Reserve, until 2005 known as the
United States Naval Reserve, is the
reserve component of the
United States Navy.
Reservists are called into active duty, or mobilized, as needed and are required to sign paperwork acknowledging this possibility upon enlistment. Since the terror attacks of
9/11, Reservists have been mobilized in large numbers. The
Global War On Terror has even seen the first activation of a full USNR squadron since the
Korean War,
VFA-201, an
F/A-18 Hornet squadron which deployed onboard
USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71).
The Navy Reserve consists of approximately 80,000 men and women who serve in every State, every territory and overseas.
The current concept of the United States Navy Reserve did not originate as a Federal force. In fact, today's Navy Reserve is an off-shoot of the
National Guard. It originated from the National Guard concept of a volunteer Militia, formed into companies, and created by citizen-soldiers of the States, who had an affinity for the sea.The concept of a volunteer Militia unit was confirmed in the
Uniform Militia Act of
1792, to be formed of volunteers from the Militia at large and to be uniformed and equipped at the individual volunteer's expense. At this time, it was a corp of "citizen" soldiers who enjoyed military exercise and who were willing to sacrifice both the time and the money necessary to enjoy it.
The need for a Naval Reserve was first recognized by Naval leaders prior to the
War of 1812. A Bill providing for such a Reserve organization was introduced in Congress during
Jefferson's period in office but it failed to pass. During the War of 1812, there were many more men ready to go to sea then there were ships to put them on. Thus the ships of the small U.S. Navy of
1812 competed only with the American privateers in recruiting seasoned seagoing personnel.
Beginning in the
1870s, two events set the stage for the formation of the Naval Militia. The first was the Federal government's latest act to increase the efficiency of the National Guard with the passage of
Secretary of War William C. Endicott's act of
February 12,
1887. This act doubled the annual appropriations to the National Guard. This act inspired many younger officers to call for a more modern navy. This movement saw the creation of the
Naval War College and the formation of the
Naval Institute in
1873, which further promoted the "advancement of professional and scientific knowledge in the Navy."
By
November 1918, the end of
World War I, approximately 20,000 officers and 280,000 enlisted members would be designated as Reservists serving alongside 230,000 active-duty Regular Navy personnel at sea and ashore. What was to follow with the passage of the
Naval Act of 1920, which in effect superseded the Naval Militias by the formation of the Naval and Marine Corps Reserves. The entire structure was completely reorganized in the
Naval Reserve Act of
1938.
After
11 September 2001, Navy Reservists were called up in large numbers. Many did not know for how long they were going to be called up for, but typically they were demobilized after one year or earlier. Many reservists volunteered for an additional year.
As of
29 April 2005,
President George W. Bush signed a
bill to rename the
United States Naval Reserve to
United States Navy Reserve (
Public Law 108-375).[
1]
Prior service enlistees may be available to affiliate with the Navy Reserve in their active duty rating (job specialty) and paygrade.
Non-prior service enlistees first do five once-a-month weekends of preliminary training at a Navy Reserve Activity. During this time they obtain their uniforms, receive instruction as to how to wear them properly, and learn the fundamentals of military life, such as marching, saluting, naval history and regulations. After completing this preliminary course, recruits go through a shortened
boot camp located at
Naval Station Great Lakes in Illinois (same location as Active Duty training) and qualify for a specific
billet (job) in order to make their rate permanent. Very few ratings are available to non-prior service personnel. Based upon their skill sets, qualified members may start in the "Advanced Pay Grade" program. Although non-prior service recruits are paid from their first day at the advanced pay grade, they are not entitled to wear the insignia signifying their rank until they successfully complete boot camp. After graduating from boot camp and
"A" school, the reservist usually trains at a Naval Reserve Center again to complete the final "Phase IV" requirements. After that, he or she is sent to a unit.
For those in aviation specialties, drilling will take place at Naval Air Reserve facilities, often close to their home or school. Aviation specialties are unavailable to non-prior service enlistees.
Typically, the Reservist is required to drill one weekend every month and spend a consecutive two-week period every year at a regular Navy base or on board a ship. While training either for just a weekend or during the two weeks, the reservist is on
active duty and the full spectrum of rules and regulations, including the
Uniform Code of Military Justice, apply.
* Active duty personnel generally sign-on for an eight year tour of duty which includes four years active service and four years in the inactive reserve. The reservists are usually required to have an eight year tour, with six years in the selective reserve, and two years inactive, unless they have prior military service which then allows for two, four or six year contracts.
* Active duty personnel are expected to buy their own uniform replacements (uniform allowances, however, are provided for). Reservists have uniform replacements free of charge available at certain intervals, based on the expected wear of the item.
* If Active duty personnel want to get college tuition, part of their pay is taken and matched. Reservists receive their full pay plus tuition.
* Active duty personnel receive retired pay immediately upon retirement. Reservists must wait until their 60th birthday.
* Active duty personnel receive full medical and dental care for themselves and their dependents. Only selected Reservists are eligible for similar coverage and must pay a premium.
* Active duty personnel receive 30 days of paid leave each year. Reservists do not earn leave unless mobilized.
*
Navy Reserve Recruiting*
Navy Reserve Official Site*
Change of Name Proclamation*
Administrative Procedures for Navy Reservists on Inactive Duty.
