SELRES and general reserve opportunities

[RHINOWSO]

In my experience, it's easier if you find a Reserve unit that you want to join and sift through the JOAPPLY program.

Most reserve SELRES units are VERY top heavy and seem to have O-1/2/3 billets unfilled. If you can find a unit with a billet (get the billet number, position, or whatever the heck they called it - I forget), then take that to the reserve recruiter to push.

Honest question here - you DOR'ed from Navy flight training, so what do you think is going to be different in another services aviation program?

Not saying don't pursue it, but it would probably be a questions you'll be asked at some point.

Good luck. In terms of the SELRES, the hardest part will be getting in to it. Once you have a unit, CAC card, etc you'll have better visibility to what is out there. There seemed to be lots of work available if you have flexibility (aka, no other job, selfemployed, or are part of the SELRES ruling class, aka airline pilots ), with ADT for exercises, MOBs, etc.

 

[Gatordev]

In my experience, it's easier if you find a Reserve unit that you want to join and sift through the JOAPPLY program.

Most reserve SELRES units are VERY top heavy and seem to have O-1/2/3 billets unfilled. If you can find a unit with a billet (get the billet number, position, or whatever the heck they called it - I forget), then take that to the reserve recruiter to push.

But how would he find those unfilled billets and sift through JOAPPLY if he can't log in to look at them? That's really what he's asking. It's especially hard if he's a 1300. Maybe one of the IRR guys have some gouge on how to get "around" JOAPPLY.

 

[RHINOWSO]

I guess I assumed he was near some Navy reserve activities / NOSC, etc.

I'd just go into admin and ask for a list of units / names of the COs and start shaking the tree. I saw all sorts of back deals in the SELRES, getting people on and paid when there aren't billets in a unit, etc, etc.

 

[maxsonic]

But I'm definitely interested in anything that's possible, no matter how improbable. If anyone has any input at all, I'd appreciate it. I've already poured my heart out on these forums a lot.

V/R

During my time in the NAVAIR Reserve Program, we had active duty 13XX Officers affiliate into the program and get cross assigned in (CAI) to 1525 AMDO billets (and 1515 AEDO if they had a technical/engineering undergraduate degree). 13XX's CAI to 15XX billets in the NRP were then expected to redesignate to 15XX...although some resisted, not wanting to give up their 13XX!

Good luck!
MAX

 

[nittany03]

Hey all-

Does anyone have any suggestions for the best ways to get vacancies from JO Apply when an IRR schmuck like me can't access it? I've been in touch with a local reserve officer recruiter, but correspondence is slow. If I was just looking for things local that'd be one thing, but I want to cast the net wide....interestingly enough I don't have any close enough SELRES acquaintances to ask them to look for me.

Do they need to have a billet in hand to get you SELRES, or could they just send you IAP to your local OPSUP unit once you switched, get you a CAC, and then sort your billet out that way? You can go IAP for up to 90 days.

Edit: That once was more of a guideline than a rule, but I've recently seen message traffic implying that they are cracking down on people abusing IAP and getting drill pay for essentially nothing.

 

[Gatordev]

Do they need to have a billet in hand to get you SELRES, or could they just send you IAP to your local OPSUP unit once you switched, get you a CAC, and then sort your billet out that way? You can go IAP for up to 90 days.

Edit: That once was more of a guideline than a rule, but I've recently seen message traffic implying that they are cracking down on people abusing IAP and getting drill pay for essentially nothing.

Technically there's supposed to be a billet to into (though one may still sit IAP for some time while the paperwork goes through). That said, what you mention about just getting dumped into the OSU is probably the quickest way, assuming the recruiter moves along. I'm also not certain if there are Officer quotas. On the Enlisted side, it's a giant pain in the ass to get in if the RC doesn't have your Rate available.

aukonak, I'm not sure where the NOSC is in DC (I don't have CAC access at home at this moment to look), but if it's not behind a base gate, I'd do what RINO suggested and just physically go there. You probably will need to make repeated trips, but at least you can start digging around while also trying to affiliate with the recruiter.

 

[RHINOWSO]

It can be frustrating for sure, my affiliation from AD to Reserves / SELRES took 2 months even with a billet number, the command requesting me, etc. In the end rolling into the NOSC to sit down with the recruiter is what pushed it over the edge - he was some overworked JG, IIRC and my emails were just one of hundreds. But I was there with paperwork in hand, so it was harder to blow me off.

Same with other NOSC problems - sure I could email or do the typical phone tag "oh, so and so does that, he's not around..." over and over. But when you show up and politely ask about something, it's easier to make headway - as mentioned, it might take several trips, but now you are the guy that shows up, they have a face to a name, and sooner or later you'll find the person who can help / person who gives a shit...

 

[Gatordev]

It can be frustrating for sure, my affiliation from AD to Reserves / SELRES took 2 months even with a billet number, the command requesting me, etc. In the end rolling into the NOSC to sit down with the recruiter is what pushed it over the edge - he was some overworked JG, IIRC and my emails were just one of hundreds. But I was there with paperwork in hand, so it was harder to blow me off.

The CTO process has also helped make the process a little easier. Not necessarily quicker (2 months was usually the norm for my pilots coming over), but at least most of the paperwork was handled through a single point of contact at PERS and not the circus show that can be the NOSC. Obviously none of that helps aukonak, though. As we've both said, just be persistent, assuming you can get in the door of the NOSC.

Oh, found this (and it's not CAC-enabled): https://www.navyreserve.navy.mil/SiteAssets/Regional_NOSC_Map/TNR_Regional_Map_Combined_White.jpg

Looks like Baltimore is your nearest place.

 

[vxc961]

Going from IRR to SELRES took me 18mo (!), but, I was SELRES, got mobilized, then told them I had an ACL tear. In my defense, I thought it was an aggravation of a previous ACL tear, but understandably the Navy was not happy about me telling them 3 days after I was MOB'd that I had a torn ACL!

1) Figure out what you want to do in the reserves (1) (get any job, and the points), (2) do a "real" job (if so, boats, security, whatever), or (3) drill close to home.
2) Google "NOSC Washington DC", or "Maritime Security Force" (again, or whatever) and figure out where that unit is.
3) Call/email the NOSC, CO, guy-on-linkedin-who-lists-this-unit and touch base
4) After you've made contact, tell the recruiter (I've got a good one, PM if yours is not good) that you want this (a) this NOSC, (b) this unit, (c) this billet control number (which you cot in step 3 above)
5) Somehow, you will still be assigned to the unit an an IAP status, but then you're with the unit and can figure it out.
6) USNR is a trainwreck, but if you talk to people, you command likes you, you can figure it out.

Good luck!

 

[RHINOWSO]

6) USNR is a trainwreck

Truer words have never been spoken!

 

[hummerhole]

After doing some research, I saw that there seems to be reserve squadrons for every airframe BUT Hawkeyes (obviously after they did away with -77). Are there ANY opportunities for Hawkeye tube trolls to fly in the reserves? I assume FTS is out of the question, but would they cross train a Hawkeye guy in another airframe so we could still fly?

If not, what would they have a Hawkeye guy do in the reserves or FTS (RAG opportunities)?

 

[Uncle Fester]

After doing some research, I saw that there seems to be reserve squadrons for every airframe BUT Hawkeyes (obviously after they did away with -77). Are there ANY opportunities for Hawkeye tube trolls to fly in the reserves? I assume FTS is out of the question, but would they cross train a Hawkeye guy in another airframe so we could still fly?

If not, what would they have a Hawkeye guy do in the reserves or FTS (RAG opportunities)?

The SAU is alive and kicking and needs bodies. PM me if you want POC.

FTS is not out of the question; they've picked up a few E-2 FOs on the last couple of boards. Changing communities is possible, but you're always going to fall under the "junior most qualified" thing, so I don't know how likely it'd be.

 

[hummerhole]

The SAU is alive and kicking and needs bodies. PM me if you want POC.

FTS is not out of the question; they've picked up a few E-2 FOs on the last couple of boards. Changing communities is possible, but you're always going to fall under the "junior most qualified" thing, so I don't know how likely it'd be.

Thanks for the info fester. So, the SAU is not an option for FTS? If not, I guess they just throw you at some desk job for FTS if changing communities is not possible?

EDIT: damn "the man" for killing -77

 

[Flash]

aukonak, I'm not sure where the NOSC is in DC (I don't have CAC access at home at this moment to look), but if it's not behind a base gate...

It is at Andrews, on the Navy side. Even IRR can get an ID though to get you through the gate, the old school kind.

Oh, found this (and it's not CAC-enabled): https://www.navyreserve.navy.mil/SiteAssets/Regional_NOSC_Map/TNR_Regional_Map_Combined_White.jpg

Looks like Baltimore is your nearest place.

There is a Maryland inset off to the bottom right of the map that has NAF Washington, that is what the Navy side of Andrews is called.

And correct me if I am wrong but aren't they pretty much obligated to find you a billet if you are O-4 or less?

 

[RHINOWSO]

Thanks for the info fester. So, the SAU is not an option for FTS? If not, I guess they just throw you at some desk job for FTS if changing communities is not possible?

EDIT: damn "the man" for killing -77

Realize that FTS has gotten a lot like AD so it may not be the good deal jump from good deal flying job to flying job that it once was. I had some friends in FTS who didn't like that change, as it became all "joint this" and GSA that to be "competative".

Also, you might find out that in the reserves are run by airline pilots, especially with the drive to do tons of flexible support M-F... it's basically the only job out there where they can take off extra weeks at a time and not get fired... as a NFO (and in a non flying unit) coming in M-F would just piss my civilian boss off. My civie employers support reserve service but when you are doing your 2 weeks AT, then wanting a couple of days off every month to to whatever the flavor of the month support the reserve O-6s have dreamed up (which is cyclical and repeats every 2-3 years BTW).

But if you can score a flying reserve spot and make it all work, more power to ya.