Active Duty and Army Reserve

There are two separate service options to choose from in the US army, full time active duty or a part time commitment through the army reserves. While, during a war, Active Duty Soldiers are deployed overseas, Army Reserve Soldiers take care of the situation at home, by serving as instructors, security personnel etc. In the event of natural disasters like floods or earthquakes, Army Reserve Soldiers support the relief and rescue operations.

Active Duty and Reserve Jobs:

Some of the army jobs are in fields like administrative support, which includes religious services, finance and administration. Arts & media jobs include graphic designers, journalists, musicians, broadcast technicians, and translators. Combat jobs include artillery, infantry, tank crew, etc. (combat MOS are closed to women). Some of the other fields include computers & technology, construction & engineering, intelligence & combat support, legal & law enforcement MOS including firefighters, military police, criminal investigators, etc. Mechanics, medical & emergency jobs within the military health care field, and transportation & aviation related jobs are also included. There are also specialized categories like army bands, chaplain corps, army law (Judge Advocate General), training corps, and Special Forces which are now open to civilians.

Army Reserves:

Apart from relief and rescue operations, the Army Reserve develops new and secure communications technologies, maintains and troubleshoots various military information systems, responds to chemical and biological threats, and provides biohazard training to federal agencies. It maintains and supervises equipment for chemical, biological and nuclear detection and decontamination, takes care of and operates the transportation and supply systems, trains and deploys cultural experts to establish or restore governmental functions, and staffs most of the army's hospitals, clinics, and field units. They also serve in peacekeeping and humanitarian missions. Psychological Operations (PSYOP) Soldiers develop, analyze, and distribute information to influence the behavior of foreign populations, to help friendly forces.

Training:

You can become a soldier, either on active duty or in the reserves, after you have attended Basic Combat Training (BCT) and completed your Advanced Individual Training (AIT), to learn specific job skills. BCT is a nine-week program that focuses on physical strength and combat skills. AIT is what equips the soldier with the required skills to perform his/her job, through training and field instruction. Both BCT and AIT are full-time, after which active duty soldiers leave for their post, while reserve soldiers return to civilian life. Both, however, undergo a variety of ongoing training like leadership training, unit training etc. In addition, reserve soldiers spend one weekend a month in training at an army reserve unit, and are tested once a year in a two-week, intensive field training exercise.

Army Reserve soldiers can be called to active duty service for limited periods if necessary. If they are called to active duty, their jobs are protected until their return, under the Federal law.

Pay and Benefits:

Every Soldier earns a salary, over and above which, there are allowances, bonuses, and educational benefits. Apart from Basic Pay/ Drill Pay, there is extra remuneration for those with special skills, extra responsibility or risk duties. One-time bonuses exist that reward Army Reserve Soldiers with certain civilian skills and education, or special Army Reserve training. The army provides access to some of the best medical technology and staff, while also providing access to group insurance at discounted and affordable rates. It also provides housing, meal and uniform allowances. In addition, the army has a program of scholarships for college. The reserves provide job certifications as well as benefits of veterans. The wages for both categories increase with rank and experience. Drill pay, for reserve soldiers is on the basis of two weeks of training of each year and one weekend of every month.