Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 8/28/2009

Question
hey my name is katie and I'm 18 years old hoping to get into the navy once i hit up my asvab score and i was just wondering the differences between the Navy Reserve and Active Duty. What are the pros and cons of each? i really do want to travel the world and make a difference for myself but don't know which way to go.

Answer
Katie,
For a young person I never recommend the Reserves.

The active duty Navy and the Naval Reserves are two totally separate components of the military.  Many people do not realize that and think they can join the Reserves and then later transition to the active-duty component.

The Reserves are ideally suited for people who have a good civilian job and don't want to give it up just to serve in the military.  They usually have a family, own a house, etc. and do not wish to move around.  Younger folks are generally more foot-loose and fancy-free and have few obligations that force them to remain in one spot.  Usually, young folks join the military active duty, travel and see the world, and then when they leave active duty they join the Reserves just because they liked the military and want to continue serving when they can without making a full-time commitment.

As for pros and cons, the Reserves does not offer nearly the same benefits as active duty.  Money for education is usually a % of your total school bill whereas active-duty pays 100%.  Reserve pay is considerably less because it's just a part-time job.  The Reserves do not offer free housing, and shopping privileges at the commissary (grocery stores on base) or BX (department stores on base) are limited to certain periods only.  If you're married, your Reserve spouse and children have very little privileges, whereas your active-duty spouse and kids have full privileges at all times.  As a Reservist through the course of your career, you will not be transferred to another location unless you request it.   In the active duty component you may be transferred quite often.  As for the "travel and see the world" you mentioned, you will seldom travel in the Reserves unless it's off to war.  Active duty folks get to travel and see the world as often or as little as they wish.  Me - I love to travel and I've been to all 50 states many times and to 36 foreign countries on all 7 continents.

I constantly receive questions from young folks who made the mistake of joining the Guard or Reserves first and then want to know how to "switch over" to active duty.  Generally, it just can't be done.

I think you'll enjoy the Navy much much more than the Reserves.
Thanks for wanting to serve in uniform.
Colonel H