Army Reserve
It’s your time.
Earn meaningful benefits while serving part-time in the Army. You’ll be able to continue your civilian career or education close to home.
Life as an Army Reserve Soldier.
Grow your civilian career.
Develop skills, become a leader, and build a network in your field. Choose a path related to your civilian career field or take a different one to learn something new.
Get the best of both worlds.
The Army Reserve offers you the flexibility to pursue your individual goals and your passion to serve your country. You'll get paid to train part time, receive great benefits, and gain experiences you won't find anywhere else.
TWO PATHS IN THE ARMY RESERVE.
Understanding the different ways to join the Army Reserve can help you decide what’s best for your future.
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Enlisted Soldier: Performs specific tasks and carries out essential missions
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Commissioned Officer: Leads teams, training and guiding them to success
Explore different careers.
As a Soldier in the Army Reserve, you'll bring your unique expertise and skill set to support the U.S. Army in times of crisis or emergency.
Train local.
Train local.
Stay sharp.
Stay sharp.
Be ready.
Be ready.
Live close to what matters most.
The Army Reserve lets you serve close to home and continue pursuing your goals, whether that’s in education, a civilian career, or both.
Stay close to family.
With flexibility to choose which region you serve within the U.S., you can continue living at home among family and friends in a familiar community.
Keep your civilian job.
Advance in your full-time civilian job and keep pursuing your career goals, as Army Reserve Soldiers can follow passions while serving the country part time.
Pursue your education.
The Army Reserve gives you the flexibility to attend college full time, with opportunities for educational benefits and the ability to live near your school.
Hear it from Soldiers.
Learn about the unique opportunities, experiences, and lifestyle of a Soldier serving in the Army Reserve.
Spc. Ayriss Torres
U.S. Army ReserveSpc. Ayriss Torres, crowned Miss Idaho 2021, is the founder of a non-profit and a Soldier.
Sgt. Matthew Wisdom
U.S. Army ReserveSgt. Matthew Wisdom is a firefighter and EMT—and a Soldier.
Sgt. Christine Won
U.S. Army ReserveMeet Sgt. Christine Won, a scholarship-winning math teacher who also serves part-time as a Soldier.
Cpt. Thais Ridgeway
U.S. Army ReserveCpt. Thais Ridgeway is a law clerk for a federal judge in the U.S. District court for the Southern District of New York, and a Soldier.
Cpt. Luke Jean
U.S. Army ReserveMeet Cpt. Luke Jean, a craft distiller who also serves part time as a Soldier.
BENEFITS THAT PROTECT YOUR FUTURE
OTHER WAYS YOU CAN SERVE.
Common questions about Army Reserve.
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Will I be deployed while serving in the Army Reserve?
Will I be deployed while serving in the Army Reserve?
While there's no way to predict whether or not you’ll be deployed during your service, deployments are the most predictable in the Army Reserve. If and when they’re called upon, Army Reserve Soldiers are trained and ready to defend the nation.
Deployment is when Soldiers are sent to a specific location to carry out a mission and are unable to bring their families. The average deployment length is nine months to a combat region and can be longer or shorter for a non-combat region, depending on the mission.
Do I need to attend Basic Training?
Do I need to attend Basic Training?
Yes, you’ll need to complete a form of initial training—Basic Combat Training for enlisted Soldiers and the Basic Officer Leadership Course (BOLC) for Army Officers, as well as any additional training your job may require. Over the course of your training, you’ll learn the skills, knowledge, and discipline needed to become a Soldier.
What is the time commitment?
What is the time commitment?
As part of your service commitment in the Army Reserve, you are required to spend at least one weekend a month on duty and two weeks a year in training. Your initial service contract length is eight years with the final two years available to serve in Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) instead of regular Army Reserve status.
Can I be called for active duty?
Can I be called for active duty?
Soldiers in the Army Reserve may be called to active duty when needed to serve alongside the Regular Army and provide their expertise in a specific career field.