Switched from Active to Reserve (Pre-MEPS)

[JDock]

Made the call, decided to be re-projected into the Reserves rather than Active. Basically at this point in my life, I have alot of things going on that I'm working on that I don't want to move away from. Feel like a jerk making the call 5 days before my MEPS appointment, but had to do it and be firm about it. Recruiters have been always pushing me for Active Duty, and I think it's a great opportunity, but the Reserves just seems to fit perfectly what "I" want out of the military more than the Active side does.

Hope my recruiter still has the same enthusiasm for me joining Reserve as he did for Active Duty. :eek:

[DK3]

Active Duty recruiter will have to transfer you to a Reserve recruiter. Just make sure it is what you want. You will not be able to transfer Res to AD once you are in the Reserves (other than possible deployments here and there).

[JDock]

Active Duty recruiter will have to transfer you to a Reserve recruiter. Just make sure it is what you want. You will not be able to transfer Res to AD once you are in the Reserves (other than possible deployments here and there).

It's definately what I want. I basically allowed myself to get talked into Active Duty through all the stories told by my recruiter of people who joined the Reserve and then regretted it and wanted to go Active but couldn't. Also the fact that there are so many people wanting to go Active but for various reasons can't even enlist.

All in all, my life is already good and secure, my school is paid for through various grants and fee waivers, I have medical/dental through my current job which pays quite well.

Originally there were only a couple programs that I was interested in going Active Duty for, but this makes me seem "job-locked" and I basically was told I'd be blacklisted if I were to show up at MEPS and deny a job.

NUKE - Disqualified for having 3 F's on my High School Transcript (3.2 GPA)

AIRR - I can't pass the physical requirements right now and I'm far off with so little time to prepare, so this isn't a gaurantee. I lost 60lbs to get into the Navy, but along with that I lost alot of strength and endurance.

IS/IT/CTR - For some reason, my recruiter told me it's hard to get these ratings despite them being undermanned and my ASVAB being 95.

DC/HM - Told they were overmanned and not likely.

So during my Pre-MEPS briefing, I was basically told to take what I can get because the Navy doesn't look too kindly on job shoppers and wants to offer people opportunities to serve. Doing 4 years in a rating that I have no interest in just seems like being stuck in a bad relationship for the both of us.

Which leads me to.. Reserve. I can handle doing a "part-time" rating that I have no interest in because I'll be doing it in service of the Navy. Kind of like how I volunteer for the local food bank on the weekends but I have no interest in becoming a food line worker, and I wouldn't be able to stand doing it 10hours a day, 5-6 days a week.

I know this sounds like I'm looking for justification in my decision, but damn, it seems like it's a pretty hefty decision that I tried my best to not take lightly. No matter how much I think about it, I keep feeling like the grass is greener on the other side, but my original intent was always to go Reserve.

I was in the Army Reserve DEP for a year and attended as a Drilling Reservist for 11 months getting paid as an E-1 and I thoroughly enjoyed my time I spent with my unit. I guess I'm hoping for something similar in the Navy, only this time I want to ensure I get a ship date and attend A-School to make it "official".

[DK3]

I wasn't pushing for you to justify your answer. Just trying to ensure you had thought it out before 'pushing the button'.

Now, I don't know that you should select a job that you aren't interested in because you are going Res vs AD. You can be deployed to do that job and doing it 10 hours per day, 5-6 days a week.

I'm not sure what they meant by job shopping. When you classify at MEPS, they give you a list of jobs that are available and that you qualify for and you pick which one you want. So, obviously you aren't shopping around for different jobs. I'm only aware of 'blacklisting' in cases where a Depper back out of shipping for Boot Camp.

[JDock]

I wasn't pushing for you to justify your answer. Just trying to ensure you had thought it out before 'pushing the button'.

Now, I don't know that you should select a job that you aren't interested in because you are going Res vs AD. You can be deployed to do that job and doing it 10 hours per day, 5-6 days a week.

I'm not sure what they meant by job shopping. When you classify at MEPS, they give you a list of jobs that are available and that you qualify for and you pick which one you want. So, obviously you aren't shopping around for different jobs. I'm only aware of 'blacklisting' in cases where a Depper back out of shipping for Boot Camp.

Oh no, I feel more like I'm having to justify it to myself for some odd reason, I know you guys are all here to help and make sure that your advice leads to a better Navy overall, so no worries on that. :D

I've looked over all the ratings on the military About.com site and the only rating that I'd want to avoid is probably a cook. I'd definately prefer IT/IS/CTR/DC/HM/MA or something similar to AECF in the reserve, but I'm a bit more open-minded considering it's not a gauranteed 4 year full-time commitment and I'll be able to pursue my own goals on my own time.

At the MEPS Los Angeles, there were alot of people qualifying and then leaving without a job because of the high demand of people shipping out, so I understand there will be a little animosity towards someone who is offered a job and then turns it down.

[DK3]

Have you contacted a reserve recruiter yet?

[JDock]

Have you contacted a reserve recruiter yet?

My recruiter said he would speak to the guy in charge at his station and I'm waiting for him to get back to me.

[DK3]

Keep us updated!

[Retired Navy Chief]

Pick something that interests you ... you may only be doing it part-time ... but you never know when it could turn to a full time obligation based on the needs of the Navy and the country. Slim chance ... but still something that needs to be planned for.

Find something that will either help you in your current civilian ventures ... or, do something 180* out ... something that you always wanted to do but never had the chance to try.

Nothing wrong with reserves ... they are sailors too. No need to justify if the position fits !!

Cheers,
PISTOL