| Following is an interview with a recruit in the Navy: | | | | resulted in promotions on the civilian side. Also, I can't |
| "The reserve recruiter told me that now more than | | | | complain about a 2 week all expenses paid "vacation" |
| ever, the navy reserve is like a weekend warrior for | | | | to Europe every year. Is it like the recruiter said? 6 |
| the working man. He said I would drill for 6 months | | | | months of drilling on weekends, 2 weeks of basic |
| locally on weekends, go to a 2 week boot camp, and | | | | training in the Great Lakes region, and more drilling |
| then come back for more drilling and training on the | | | | when I get back with little chance of deployment? |
| weekends. He said the deployment possibility is low." | | | | He offered Cryptology." |
| "He said this would be my way of helping out how I | | | | "Think that the chances of deployment are going to |
| can, while maintaining my normal family life and | | | | vary based on what job you choose. The Seabees, |
| career. Is this for real or just blowing smoke at me? | | | | Intel, and MAs can pretty much count on regular |
| Also, I have a degree and was looking into reserve | | | | deployments. With regards to the basic training, |
| officer, but he said to join enlisted reserve first and | | | | make sure that you have it in writing that they are |
| work my way into it once I am in." | | | | going to let you do the two week basic. From what I |
| "I can't give you first hand experience but I too am | | | | understand, the NRAC program is being phased out. |
| real close to submitting my package for supply corps | | | | You would hate to expect a two week boot and get |
| officer (DCO). From what I heard, having a master's | | | | stuck with a two month one instead!" |
| degree with a strong GPA (which I have) really helps | | | | "I joined the reserves exactly one year ago. I had |
| if going officer. I'm also a 10 year veteran. (Now age | | | | always had a desire to serve in the military, but |
| 33) If no masters, the enlisted route may in fact be | | | | things had never quite worked out. I have a very |
| better. I think it also depends on what officer path | | | | good paying job and decided to join for the |
| you choose because the competition would be | | | | experience and fulfillment. Even after one year, I can |
| different. Perhaps someone else will answer that | | | | honestly say that I don't think that you will regret if |
| question with regards to bachelor vs. master's degree | | | | you do make the decision to join." |
| and the Navy reserve officer program." | | | | "NRAC is over. The Navy might bring it back but not |
| "If you want to go officer you should be talking to | | | | now. If you want to go officer at your age you |
| an officer recruiter. Don't sign anything until you do | | | | really need to go that way from the beginning. It |
| that and find out what the requirements are. It's | | | | would be a lot easier on you. The officer pipeline is |
| pretty good in my opinion. It's very beneficial for my | | | | different than the enlisted. At least talk to an officer |
| civilian job in terms of training I receive, which has | | | | recruiter. |