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U.S. Army Reserve

A female Army Reserve Soldier standing in a parking lot A female Army Reserve Soldier standing in a parking lot
A female Army Reserve Soldier standing in a parking lot

Join the U.S. Army Reserve

Earn great benefits while serving part-time.

It's Your Time

Advance your career and your life in the Army Reserve. Learn valuable skills and serve close to home while continuing your civilian career or education.

An IT Specialist standing with a laptop computer in a server room An IT Specialist standing with a laptop computer in a server room

Enhance Your Civilian Career

From leadership skills and teamwork to the ability to adapt to various situations, the training and experiences you’ll receive in the Army Reserve will help you grow your skills, build a network in your field, and excel in your civilian career.

An Army Reserve Soldier inspects the tail rotor of a helicopter An Army Reserve Soldier inspects the tail rotor of a helicopter

get the best of both worlds

The Army Reserve offers you the flexibility to pursue your individual goals and your passion to serve your country. You'll get paid to train part-time, receive great benefits, and gain experiences you won't find anywhere else.

Explore a Variety of Career Opportunities

The Army Reserve offers more than 120 jobs along with the appropriate training to get you started and keep you qualified. You can choose one related to your civilian career field or take a different career path to learn something new.

U.S. ARMY RESERVE JOBS

Serve Part-Time. Earn Great Benefits.

Hear It From Soldiers

Learn about the unique opportunities, experiences, and lifestyle of a Soldier serving in the Army Reserve.

SPC AYRISS TORRES U.S. Army Reserve

Army Reserve SPC Ayriss Torres, crowned Miss Idaho 2021, is the founder of a non-profit and a Soldier.

SGT MATTHEW WISDOM U.S. Army Reserve

SGT Matthew Wisdom is a firefighter and EMT - and a Soldier.

SGT CHRISTINE WON U.S. Army Reserve

Meet SGT Christine Won, a scholarship-winning math teacher who also serves part-time as a Soldier.

CPT Thais Ridgeway U.S. Army Reserve

CPT Thais Ridgeway is a law clerk for a federal judge in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, and a Soldier.

CPT Luke Jean U.S. Army Reserve

Meet CPT Luke Jean, a craft distiller who also serves part-time as a Soldier.

A female Army Reserve Soldier in combat uniform directing military trucks in a parking lot A female Army Reserve Soldier in combat uniform directing military trucks in a parking lot

Live Close to What Matters Most

No matter how you prioritize your family, education, civilian career, and personal goals, the Army Reserve lets you serve close to home and continue pursuing what you love.

STAY CLOSE TO FAMILY

With the flexibility to choose the unit you serve with anywhere in the United States, you can continue living at home among family and friends in a community you know.

KEEP YOUR CIVILIAN JOB

You can pursue your career goals and advance in your full-time civilian job, while following your passion to serve your country on a part-time basis.

PURSUE YOUR EDUCATION

With Army Reserve service, you’ll have the ability to attend college full-time, flexibility to live near school, and opportunity to receive education benefits.

Soldier jumping Soldier jumping

See what it takes to join

Take a short quiz and find out how you can become part of the greatest team in the world.

START THE SOLDIER PREP QUIZ
Two male soldiers in a vehicle laughing with one another Two male soldiers in a vehicle laughing with one another

TWO PATHS IN THE ARMY RESERVE

Understanding the different ways to join the Army Reserve can help you decide what’s best for your future.

  • Enlisted Soldier: Works as an essential member of the team, performs specific tasks, and carries out missions

  • Commissioned Officer: Serves as a leader who trains and guides their team to success

Find your Path

Common Questions

Will I be deployed while serving in the Army Reserve?

Though there's no way to predict deployment, Army Reserve Soldiers are trained and ready to be called upon to defend the nation.

Deployment is when Soldiers are sent to a specific location to carry out a mission and are unable to bring their families. The average deployment length is nine months to a combat region and can be longer or shorter for a non-combat region, depending on the mission.

Do I need to attend Basic Training?

Yes, you'll need to complete a form of Basic Training—Basic Combat Training for enlisted Soldiers and the Basic Officer Leadership Course for Army Officers, as well as any additional training your job may require. Over the course of your training, you'll learn the skills, knowledge, and discipline needed to become a Soldier.

What is the time commitment?

As part of your service commitment in the Army Reserve, you are required to spend at least one weekend a month on duty and two weeks a year in training. Your total service contract length may range from three to six years, depending on your Army Reserve job.

Can I be called for active duty?

Soldiers in the Army Reserve may be called to active duty when needed to serve alongside the Regular Army and provide their expertise in a specific career field.

An Army National Guardsman supports distribution operations following a hurricane An Army National Guardsman supports distribution operations following a hurricane

Other Ways You Can Serve

The Army Reserve, along with active duty and Army National Guard, are the three components that make up the United States Army. Each has a critical role in serving your community and your country.

ACTIVE DUTY (FULL-TIME)

Two Soldiers in combat uniform sitting in an armored vehicle Two Soldiers in combat uniform sitting in an armored vehicle

BE ALL YOU CAN BE.

Don’t just imagine what you can do. Go out and do it.

SEE WHAT’S POSSIBLE
Talk to a Recruiter

Don’t worry, there’s no obligation if you reach out.

Thanks for reaching out,

Here's What Happens Next

  1. You'll receive an email confirming your request

  2. We'll provide additional information about next steps

  3. You'll work with us to decide whether the Army is right for you

Questions you may have right now

Who will reach out to me?

One of our recruiters will either call or email you to set up time to talk.

Who will reach out to me?

One of our ROTC recruiters will either call or email you to set up time to talk.

What will you ask me?

Our conversation will likely begin with some basic qualifying questions, like your age and education level. From there, the conversation will be about getting to know you and your goals for the future. Expect us to ask about your interests and skills so we can suggest Army jobs that might interest you.

How can I prepare for the conversation?

While we'll ask you questions, this is your opportunity to ask some of your own. Here are a couple to get you started:

How can the Army help me pay for college?

Do I have to go to Basic Training?

How can I prepare for the conversation?

While we'll ask you questions, this is your opportunity to ask some of your own. Here are a couple to get you started:

How can the Army help me pay for college?

What is the time commitment for part-time service?

How can I prepare for the conversation?

While we'll ask you questions, this is your opportunity to ask some of your own. Here are a couple to get you started:

Can the Army help me pay for medical school?

Do I have to go to Basic Training?

How can I prepare for the conversation?

While we'll ask you questions, this is your opportunity to ask some of your own. Here are a couple to get you started:

How do I apply for ROTC scholarships?

How do I join ROTC at the college I want to attend?

Will I be expected to join if I talk to someone?

No. Our goal is to answer your questions and help you decide if the Army is a good option for you. We understand you may not be ready to join yet, or that we may not be the right fit, and that's fine. There's no obligation for talking to us.

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Explore more topics that may interest you

Thanks for reaching out,

Here's What Happens Next

  1. You'll receive an email confirming your request

  2. We'll provide additional information about next steps

  3. You'll work with us to decide whether the Army is right for you

Questions you may have right now

Who will reach out to me?

One of our recruiters will either call or email you to set up time to talk.

What will you ask me?

Our conversation will likely begin with some basic qualifying questions, like your age and education level. From there, the conversation will be about getting to know you and your goals for the future. Expect us to ask about your interests and skills so we can suggest Army jobs that might interest you.

How can I prepare for the conversation?

While we'll ask you questions, this is your opportunity to ask some of your own. Here are a couple to get you started:

Do I qualify to join the Army?

Can I join as an Officer?

How can I prepare for the conversation?

While we'll ask you questions, this is your opportunity to ask some of your own. Here are a couple to get you started:

Do I qualify to join the Army?

Can I join as an Officer?

How can I prepare for the conversation?

While we'll ask you questions, this is your opportunity to ask some of your own. Here are a couple to get you started:

What type of health care jobs are available in the Army?

Can the Army help me pay for medical school?

How can I prepare for the conversation?

While we'll ask you questions, this is your opportunity to ask some of your own. Here are a couple to get you started:

Can I join ROTC at my age

Can I join as an Officer?

Will I be expected to join if I talk to someone?

No. Our goal is to answer your questions and help you decide if the Army is a good option for you. We understand you may not be ready to join yet, or that we may not be the right fit, and that's fine. There's no obligation for talking to us.

KEEP EXPLORING

Explore more topics that may interest you

Thanks for reaching out, .

We admire you for considering such a big career decision at your age. Unfortunately, we're unable to directly reach out to you until you are at least sixteen years old and a junior in high school. However, the following ROTC info is something that may interest you now.

Topics to Explore

Questions you may have right now

How old do I have to be to serve in the Army full-time?

To become an enlisted Soldier, you must be 17 years old. To become an Army Officer, you must be at least 18 years old and have a college degree obtained either through ROTC, U.S. Military Academy at West Point, or from another college or university program. Learn more about Army Eligibility Requirements and how to receive Officer training while in college.

How can the Army help me pay for college?

There are a variety of options available to help you pursue education with flexibility, such as ROTC programs, the GI Bill, and other programs that help pay for college tuition, trade school, technical school, or trainings. View all of the Education Benefits available to you

How do I apply for ROTC Scholarships?

Army ROTC has several scholarships available for college-bound high school students. Review your options at ROTC Scholarships, or immediately apply by creating an account at my.goarmy.com to get started.

How old do I have to be to serve in the Army part-time?

To become an enlisted Soldier, you must be 17 years old. To become an Army Officer, you must be at least 18 years old and have a college degree obtained either through ROTC, U.S. Military Academy at West Point, or from another college or university program. Learn more about Army Eligibility Requirements and how to receive Officer training while in college.

What are the ways to serve part-time?

You can serve part-time as a Soldier in the Army Reserve or the Army National Guard. By serving part-time, you are able to continue your college education or work a civilian job, while earning an extra paycheck and maintaining many of the benefits of military service.

How can the Army help me pay for college?

There are a variety of options available to help you pursue education with flexibility, such as ROTC programs, the GI Bill, and other programs that help pay for college tuition, trade school, technical school, or trainings. View all of the Education Benefits available to you.

How do I become a health care provider in the Army?

You can serve part-time or full-time as you train in our health care program. Upon graduation of the program, you will enter the Army health care team as a Commissioned Officer.

What types of medical careers are available in the Army?

There are numerous health care careers available through the Army Medical Education Deparment (AMEDD), including physicians, dentists, nurses, veterinarians, and many more. View your career options.

How can the Army help me pay for college?

There are a variety of options available to help you pursue education with flexibility, such as ROTC programs, the GI Bill, and other programs that help pay for college tuition, trade school, technical school, or trainings. View all of the Education Benefits available to you.

What are the benefits of joining ROTC?

ROTC makes it possible to achieve your ambitions. Become a leader and serve your country in one of the nation's top leadership training programs. You can do this while maintaining your college curriculum and earning up to 100% tuition coverage. Upon graduation, you're guaranteed a career as an Army Officer.

How do I prepare to join ROTC?

When you're at least 16 years old and at least a high school junior, you can reach out to us, or even talk to your high school counselor. Together, we'll talk options and decide if ROTC is the right path for you.

Will I become an Officer if I complete ROTC?

Yes. After graduation, you are commissioned as a highly respected second lieutenant in the Army, entrusted with leading other Soldiers.

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Explore more topics that may interest you

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