Military reserves are military organizations whose members have both military and civilian occupations. They are not normally kept under arms, and their main role is to be available when their military requires additional manpower. Reservists can serve on active-duty orders, known as Active Guard Reserve (AGR), or be deployed based on need. Here are some key points about military reserves:
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Eligibility: To join the National Guard or military reserves, you must be a U.S. citizen or resident alien, be between the ages of 17 and 42, pass an armed forces physical exam, and pass the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery test.
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Time commitment: Joining the military reserves or National Guard is a significant time commitment. You will get settled in your permanent unit and then can expect to attend unit assembly, known as “drill,” one weekend per month. You will also participate in a two-week training period each year.
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Benefits: Reservists on active duty for more than 30 days receive comprehensive medical and dental care at no cost. The Army Reserve offers an array of employment benefits, including bonuses, money for college, student loan repayment, and low-cost health and life insurance.
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Roles: In wartime, reserves may provide replacements for combat losses or be used to form new units. Reservists can provide garrison duty, manning air defense, internal security, and guarding of important points such as supply depots, prisoner of war camps, communications nodes, air and sea bases, and other vital areas, freeing regular troops for service on the front.
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Training: Reserve soldiers receive the same training as active-duty soldiers. After Basic Combat Training (BCT) and Advanced Individual Training (AIT), Army Reserve Soldiers return to their civilian lives and spend one weekend a month and two weeks per year training to keep their skills sharp.
