I Could Have Been Fully Retired: Lessons from Choosing the Air Force Reserve Over Active Duty

When I enlisted in the Air Force, I was recruited directly into a reserve unit. That’s the program where you serve one weekend a month and two weeks a year. For all this to make sense, you have to understand that this meant my specific reserve unit paid for my military training. So, in essence, I “belonged” to that unit.

Once I went through basic training and on to tech school, I realized that I really enjoyed the military lifestyle and wanted to transition from reservist to active duty. The thought of returning to civilian life was intimidating. I appreciated the structure and order the military provided. Despite some initial challenges adapting, once I settled in, I thrived in that environment.

As tech school was coming to a close, I asked one of my tech school administrators if they could help me transition into an active duty role. I inquired if that was possible and what the process would be. He said he would reach out to my reserve unit to explore my options.

Some time later, he informed me that my unit stated they paid for my training and would not release me to active duty. I looked into options but it seemed there was little I could do, so I accepted that reality and prepared to return to civilian life.

I left the Air Force in 2005 after 6 years of reserve and 2 years of inactive ready reserve service. Once I left, there were no real benefits or connections to the Air Force. For all intents and purposes, that connection was severed.

Now, seeing some of my active duty friends exceed 20+ years of service and even retire, I regret my decision to join the reserves instead of going active duty. I’m 44 years old, without much money, and retirement is not in sight.

When deciding to enlist, one thing to consider very carefully is your military job choice. Read all the details about what the job entails thoroughly. Don’t let anyone rush you and always review the paperwork closely before signing. Trust me on this. Also, think about whether you want to go active duty, reserve, national guard, and consider the branch too. In my honest opinion, the Air Force can be one of the safer branches, depending on your job.

None of this really matters unless you perform well. The better you do on the ASVAB, the more choices you’ll have in picking a job rather than being assigned one. I didn’t study at all for the ASVAB. Before my test, I had never even seen the exam or knew what it covered. When I arrived, my Marine recruiter said he thought I was smart enough to pass and brought me straight to the test with no preparation. Looking back, that should have been a warning, but I was young and proud.

Sure, I passed, but I scored poorly in mechanical and electrical sections, which were completely new to me. I basically guessed my way through. Had I known to study those areas, I would have passed more sections and opened up more job options. The better you do on this test, the better your job opportunities.

After feeling disappointed by my Marine recruiter, I went to an Air Force recruiter. My Air Force recruiter was better at his job but I still didn’t fully understand the fine print of my job assignment. I ended up in a field I didn’t like and really struggled to find satisfaction in that role.

Even though I disliked my Air Force job, I did fairly well with the military lifestyle. I know if I had a better fitting job, I would have stayed in, gone active, and perhaps become an officer. I might have finished my career with a retirement pension by my current age. But since I disliked the job, among other reasons, I left when my first enlistment ended. Now, I won’t enjoy the benefits of a military retirement.

I’m happy for friends who have done well in the military with little physical or mental trauma. Sadly, many service members face serious challenges. At times, I wish I had gone the active duty path, but at the time I did not fully understand the differences or expect to enjoy the military lifestyle so much.

So, the major takeaways if you plan to join the military are:

1. Choose a job you will enjoy and that will also be valuable in civilian life. Don’t rely solely on your recruiter; read all details carefully before signing, especially about your military job.
2. Decide if you want to benefit from early retirement and a pension in 20 years. It may seem far off, but it comes quickly. If so, active duty is the better path since reserve benefits are limited.
3. Think ahead. Twenty years flies by. If you do well on the ASVAB, you’ll have job choices. If you love your job, time will fly and you’ll reach retirement age with benefits. You can pursue other jobs, travel, or live conservatively, whatever suits you.
4. The job is critical. Aim for a role that minimizes combat risk, where many service members face injury. Consider how veterans are supported, as this can vary. Serve proudly, but also look out for your health and future. Choosing the right job helps protect you and your family.

I hope this provides some guidance on your military journey. It can be hard or rewarding, depending on the choices you make early on. While we can’t control life events or conflicts, stacking the odds in your favor early makes sense. Stay safe, serve 20 years, retire by 40, and enjoy life!

Good luck and God bless.