Aside from basic pay, enlisting in the US Army Reserve provides a number of advantages. Help with school tuition, health care and insurance, special pay allowances, job certifications, and retirement benefits are just a few examples. Should an Army reservist be called into active duty, his or her civilian job is also protected.
One of the most appealing aspects of joining the Army Reserve is the variety of college tuition assistance programs available. Recruits can complete their college degrees before being mobilized or deployed under the Army’s Education Career Stabilization (ECS) program. The Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) pays for college education, with the amount determined the length of service. The College Loan Repayment Program assists reservists in repaying their education debt providing a stipend based on their course of study.
Enlisting in the Army Reserve provides access to low-cost healthcare and health insurance. For reservists, health and dental insurance is available at a significantly reduced cost, and medical and dental care is provided at no cost if they are called to active duty for more than 30 days. All US Army Reserve soldiers are also eligible for low-cost life insurance.
Reservists receive assistance with job placement both during and after their enlistment in the Army Reserve. Using the Partnership for Youth Success program, the Civilian Job Placement Program assists soldiers in finding jobs (PAYS). Soldiers are given preference when applying for jobs at certain companies, including Fortune 500 companies. Any recruit who has completed Basic Combat Training is eligible for this program (BCT).
Enlistees can obtain trade or professional certification as part of many Army jobs. Nationally recognized certifications like these can help reservists compete more effectively for jobs. Reserve enlistees can find jobs in a variety of categories within the Army, depending on their qualifications and experience. Many of these jobs have civilian equivalents, and the reservist’s experience gives him or her a leg up. Soldiers who have served in the Reserve for 20 years or more are eligible for retirement pay at the age of 60.
Aside from the basic pay that activated Army Reserve soldiers receive based on rank and years of service, they also receive a variety of other benefits. Housing allowances for soldiers who live off-base, a uniform replacement allowance, and a cost of living allowance for soldiers stationed in high-cost areas are among them. Enlisting in the Army Reserve also includes moving and relocation allowances. A Family Separation Allowance is paid to soldiers who are stationed in areas where their families are unable to relocate.