Army Reserves vs. Active Duty?

[Dionne]

I'm think of joining the Army but I'm not sure if I should do the Reserves or Active Duty. What are the pros and cons between the two? I know with the Reserves it's like one weekend every month kind of like part time and you can stay closer to your home. With Active Duty you go away and stay on base...

Please give me your real and honest answers. Thanks!

[imported_Flint]

DO NOT JOIN

[Randi M]

I think it is better to start off as a reservest because if you don't like it than your time is little but if you do really like it than you can go active at anytime.

[Christian and not ashamed]

Haha I like the 'DO NOT JOIN' option the best when considering the Army.

Ok, one of the differences you need to watch for is that the Reserves in your area may not have the MOS you are looking for. Be sure to check that out first.

Other than that, which one sounds better to you? Which do you think will allow you to reach whatever goals you have? Do your research, there are great sites out there.

[Randi M]

I think it is better to start off as a reservest because if you don't like it than your time is little but if you do really like it than you can go active at anytime.

[lconnor65]

I have been both. I guess since I was AD first to me the reserves suck.

Active duty is full time. You get decent benefits, will probably move every 3 years give or take. Deployments are a year long. If you are single you will live in the barracks.
AD you sometimes get stuck on crappy details till you get some rank.

Reserves is part time. Benefits are limited. You may have to drive far depending where you drill. You 2 weeks a year will be done out of state. Basically you will learn an MOS and rarely do it. Drill weekends all you do is take mandatory Army training classes.

Either one you can expect to deploy for a year.

[lconnor65]

I have been both. I guess since I was AD first to me the reserves suck.

Active duty is full time. You get decent benefits, will probably move every 3 years give or take. Deployments are a year long. If you are single you will live in the barracks.
AD you sometimes get stuck on crappy details till you get some rank.

Reserves is part time. Benefits are limited. You may have to drive far depending where you drill. You 2 weeks a year will be done out of state. Basically you will learn an MOS and rarely do it. Drill weekends all you do is take mandatory Army training classes.

Either one you can expect to deploy for a year.

[lconnor65]

I have been both. I guess since I was AD first to me the reserves suck.

Active duty is full time. You get decent benefits, will probably move every 3 years give or take. Deployments are a year long. If you are single you will live in the barracks.
AD you sometimes get stuck on crappy details till you get some rank.

Reserves is part time. Benefits are limited. You may have to drive far depending where you drill. You 2 weeks a year will be done out of state. Basically you will learn an MOS and rarely do it. Drill weekends all you do is take mandatory Army training classes.

Either one you can expect to deploy for a year.

[Randi M]

I think it is better to start off as a reservest because if you don't like it than your time is little but if you do really like it than you can go active at anytime.