Army Reserve Soldiers earn regular paychecks for Unit Training and Field Training Exercises.

Your wages will increase when you climb in rank and years of experience.

*Based on 2009 pay tables.
**Pay for Private (E1) will be slightly lower for first four months of service.

*Based on 2009 pay tables.

You have many opportunities to earn extra money in the Army Reserve. These include one-time bonuses that reward Army Reserve Soldiers who possess certain civilian skills and education or complete special Army Reserve training. Talk to a local recruiter to find out which bonuses you qualify for.

Qualified non-prior service applicants who enlist for three or more years in the Army Reserve are eligible for up to $20,000 in enlistment bonuses.

Qualified Army Reserve applicants who already have civilian skills that the Army Reserve needs and enlist in a critical skill specialty for 6 years may be eligible for bonus of up to $20,000 through the Army Civilian Acquired Skills Program (ACASP).

A bonus of $10,000 may be available to Army Reserve Officer Candidate School and Warrant Officer candidates in specific areas of concentration.

The Middle Eastern Translator Aide (MOS 09L) enlistment bonus is $10,000 for eligible individuals who speak certain Middle-Eastern languages and enlist as 09L in the U.S. Army Individual Ready Reserve (IRR). Applicants without previous military service who enlist for 09L in the Selected Reserve may be eligible for a $20,000 bonus. Soldiers in the IRR have a service obligation but are not assigned to a Reserve unit, while soldiers in the Selected Reserve are assigned to a unit.

If you enter the Army Reserve to serve six years as a Reserve Troop Program Unit Chaplain you may be eligible for a bonus of up to $10,000. The bonus is payable following the completion of the Chaplain Officer Basic Course, which must be completed within 36 months of commissioning.

In addition to salary and bonuses, the Army provides for housing, meals and uniforms for Army Reserve Soldiers on Active Duty status.

NOTE: Bonus amounts, eligibility criteria and qualifying Military Occupational Specialties change frequently. Contact your local Recruiter to find out what the current bonuses are and which you may qualify for.