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Active Reserves
- Thread starter bluto
- Start date
Most of my questions regard career path. I'm relatively familiar with what an AR pilot does at a reserve squadron day to day, but are they still doing "standard" 3 year tours with a squadron before rotating out? And when they do, are they limited to reserve commands (which is very limiting considering how many aviation commands are closing). Are AR guys being tapped for IA billets like their AD bro's? Thanks for any input.
They are rotating every three years or so and yes that is to Marfor Res units, not always aviation units, sometimes 4MAW staff kind of stuff. I dont know if they are getting tapped for IAs, none of the ARs in my squadron are doing them that I know of.
I haven't been able to get much info on this topic. Anyone have any experience in th AR? Is it anything like being a full time Air Guard guy where you essentially get to stay with one unit and keep on flying? Or is it just like AD Marine Corps and you still get new orders every 3 years?
Follow on question if anyone can please confirms with regards to the AR. Per the SEPS manual, Reserve commissioned officers on active duty who have completed more than 20 years of active service, of which at least 10 years was served as a commissioned officer, may request retirement under the provisions of chapter 2 of this Manual. Is this saying that if you go from Active Duty and complete your next 10 years as an Active Reservist you will receive your pension upon retirement, vice age 59? The way I read this, the answer is yes, however the enlisted career counselor at my squadron said that you do not receive it until you hit the 59 year mark. Also if anyone can shed some light on pros and cons of going AR to a VMGR squadron it would be much appreciated. Thanks for any replies.
It depends which component you retire out of. In your example, you receive a 'normal' retirement because you retired out of the active component (AD/AR pay/benefits are almost interchangeable).
20 yrs active duty = normal retirement, immediately upon retirement (50% high three or whatever)
10 yrs active duty + 10yrs active reserve = normal retirement, immediately upon retirement
10 yrs active duty +10 yrs SMCR = reserve retirement (kicks in later)
One thing to be wary of, if you are involuntarily separated and take the $$$, then subsequently go AR and retire, you will have to pay back the involuntary separation pay upon your retirement.
Thoughts on going MV-22/in reserves/SMCR.
- Want to make NATOPS mins? Plan on 4 days a month and 4 weeks per year. The 2 days/2 weeks line is just recruiting BS. If you want to advance in quals plan on 6 days a month and 6 weeks a year.
- if you are getting out and plan on going reserves, don't let your nsq lapse. Log a 2381 before you go terminal, hell call the squadron you are going to affiliate with and work out a proficiency hop before you EAS. Once you give up a major qual like that you will not get it back unless you are local and you can come in a few times a month for a few months in a row.
- the latest flavor in 4th MAW is to be more like the ANG, but without mobilization or a workup. Really only a good deal if you are an airline pilot and you can pick up seniority while on active duty orders.
-still want to apply? Call the psr and request to direct affiliate, it will save you two months of paperwork and probably keep you from going unk on your quals.
- please be a lat-i or at the very least a med up TAC who is nsq... Unless you like odo.
- Want to make NATOPS mins? Plan on 4 days a month and 4 weeks per year. The 2 days/2 weeks line is just recruiting BS. If you want to advance in quals plan on 6 days a month and 6 weeks a year.
- if you are getting out and plan on going reserves, don't let your nsq lapse. Log a 2381 before you go terminal, hell call the squadron you are going to affiliate with and work out a proficiency hop before you EAS. Once you give up a major qual like that you will not get it back unless you are local and you can come in a few times a month for a few months in a row.
- the latest flavor in 4th MAW is to be more like the ANG, but without mobilization or a workup. Really only a good deal if you are an airline pilot and you can pick up seniority while on active duty orders.
-still want to apply? Call the psr and request to direct affiliate, it will save you two months of paperwork and probably keep you from going unk on your quals.
- please be a lat-i or at the very least a med up TAC who is nsq... Unless you like odo.
Language is important here. FTS, Full Time Support, is a Title 10 program meaning you are moving toward a normal AD retirement (traditional 20 years). Active Reserve could mean a number of things including Title 32 support activities meaning you will retire with a non-traditional (age 59 reserve) retirement. Active reserve guys can do three, six, even one year tours, but if their orders read Title 32 that means they are not held against the end-strength of that service so they get full-time pay and benefits, but retirement points only. If you are super-lucky you can reach 7300 points (20 years x 365 points per year) before 20 and try to apply for an early retirement, but that can be denied and you will earn 20-year money, but not until you are 59. The only wiggle room here is if your orders read "In Support of GWOT" then you can subtract that time from your 60th birthday and claim slightly earlier retirement.
Still, in certain cases, there can be substantial advantages in taking a high-point reserve retirement.
Agreed, probably best at this point to break it down by service.
Marines
Two kinds of retirement, Active Duty and Reserve.
Active Duty Retirement - Normal 20 year / 50% pay as soon as you retire, more if you stay longer. You will get this if you retire from Active Duty or Active Reserve in the Marines (20+ years)
Reserve Retirement - Eligible after you complete 20 satisfactory (SAT) years in the armed forces. For pilots, this will usually include a mix of active duty and selected Marine Corps reserve (SMCR) time. I know a few who have some IRR SAT years in there as well. This is the retirement that kicks in somewhere around 60 years old.
Three kinds of Service
- Individual Ready Reserve (IRR). This is the most common reserve experience, which in most cases is a paper drill and doesn't require a lot of (any) participation. When you EAS typically you go right into the IRR and stay there until HQMC cuts the cord completely. You can get to the reserve retirement by getting 50+ points a year to have a SAT year, but you won't be paid for your monthly participation.
- Selected Marine Corps Reserve (SMCR). As a pilot, if you EAS and then affiliate AS A RESERVIST with a reserve unit, then this is your category. You also will get the reserve retirement. If you do a one year or longer mobilization (ADOS) you are still an SMCR reservist, and rate the reserve retirement when you turn 60. You get paid to drill and accrue retirement points.
- Active Component. ACTIVE DUTY folks or those who EAS and join the ACTIVE RESERVE from the IRR/SMCR/AD fall into this category. Active Reserve in the Marines is the same as FTS for the Navy/Air Force. AD/AR rate the active retirement as soon as they hit 20 years of service and their retirement is approved.
- Be careful here, there is something in Guard Units called a Technician Pilot, which sounds a lot like AR/FTS but is a GS-12/13 position with a Reserve Commission in the Guard. Retirement in this case is the Reserve Retirement which again, doesn't kick in until 60.
For Marines, read the MCRAMM if you really want to nerd out on reserve stuff: http://www.marines.mil/Portals/59/MCO 1001R.1L.pdf
I would be surprised if that actually was the case, the Navy was specifically called out for allowing that in the Retirement Commission from a few years ago.
*puts pedantic hat on*
The VTU is part of the IRR, and you can get points and retire from the VTU by doing drills and ADT. The "holding tank" is the VTU-ASP, not the VTU-IRR.
*takes pedantic hat off*
Dunno if the Corps does similar.