The Air Force Reserve is the federally controlled reserve force that is tasked with training and provision of combat-ready units and airmen for activity duty at times when the Air Force does not have enough manpower or equipment to fulfill a national security role or operation.
In essence, the Air Force Reserve is there to support the Air Force and assist by providing trained citizen airmen who are ready to enter active duty if required.
It may sound similar to the Air National Guard, however, there is a key difference. The Air National Guard is mostly under the control of a particular state, and while it may enter federal service in certain circumstances, this isn’t usually the case. The Air National Guard is usually activated by a state's governor due to this.
The Air Force Reserve on the other hand is federally controlled, in the same way, the regular Air Force is. This means they are a part of the main US military answering to the President and can be called up to assist the main military branches whenever necessary.
To join the Air Force Reserve you must be aged between 18 and 38. It is possible to join at age 17 but you must have parental consent to do so. Once you’ve joined you will enter Basic Military Training, similar to regular Air Force recruits, and begin the process of training and learning, as well as being tested for your capabilities and where you will fit in.
Once you are in, you will be required to work 1 weekend per month as well as a single contiguous two-week period every year in your chosen Air Force Reserve role. Oftentimes you will be based at a nearby Air Force Reserve Base to minimize the effect your military service has on your normal career and family life.
What do you do in the Air Force Reserves?
As mentioned above, the Air Force Reserves supports the Air Force in a variety of capacities. The individual role you may play in the Reserves will depend on a variety of factors determined by the training process, known as BMT or basic military training. Here you will undertake a series of tests to determine your skill and capabilities, as well as learning the basics of how to be an Airman.
The role you undertake could be anything depending on your ASVAB score, which is the test you will undertake to determine your capabilities and where they will best align with the Air Force Reserve’s needs. You could work in various areas such as cyber operations, intelligence, logistics, aircraft maintenance, or even space operations. Your recruiter and instructors at BMT will discuss these options with you and help you to choose the right path for you.
Once you’re in you will train and serve as anyone else in the military would. The only difference is that you will be able to continue working your normal job alongside your military service, committing to work a single weekend per month in the Air Force Reserve and also serving for a single two-week period per year.
Your civilian employer will not be able to fire you due to your military service and will be required to keep your job for you while you serve, even if you are called up to a period of active duty or overseas service.
What is the Air Force Reserve salary?
The amount of money you earn while serving in the Air Force Reserve will depend on various factors including years of service, rank, whether you are enlisted or commissioned as well as if you served prior to your joining the Air Force Reserve.
Typically reservist pay is one-thirtieth of active duty military pay for a single drill day. The best part is that you'll earn double double days while drilling. So, if drill is 2 days long, you'll get paid for 4.
This may increase when called up to active duty, which will also come with several other benefits including health care as well as potential access to housing and military discounts.
Check out the Air Force pay chart on the DFAS website.
What benefits do Air Force Reserves get?
Air Force reservists have access to a lot of amazing benefits that come with military service despite only serving part-time.
Some of these benefits include;
- Extra income - You will be paid for the time you serve while being able to continue your civilian employment or studies.
- Discounts - Reserve airmen are able to save money easily by using commissaries or tax-free department stores commonly referred to as Exchanges. There are also hefty discounts across a range of goods allowing you to make your money go further.
- Insurance - The Air Force Reserve has a program to provide low-cost medical insurance to their airmen and dependents, giving you great value and peace of mind.
- Bonuses - There are lucrative bonuses available for airmen who sign up for specific roles, and can lead to payments of up to $20,000. There are also enlistment bonuses for long-serving airmen.
- Future Planning - Reservists also have access to low-cost life insurance and retirement planning giving you security into the future.
- Education - Not only do you learn a lot while serving in the reserves, but the reserves also open the door to further education. There is tuition assistance available as well as several support bills that encourage and financially support those serving in the military to enter education.
How long is boot camp for the Air Force Reserves?
The training for the Air Force Reserves is the exact same that regular Air Force recruits undertake.
You will first enter basic military training (BMT) which focuses on transforming you from a civilian into an Airman. You will undertake physical training and education as well as testing to ensure you meet the standards required of the Air Force Reserve.
Once you graduate you will attend an Air Force tech school to learn about the particular role you have chosen or been assigned to based on your capabilities. Tech school lasts for anywhere from 36 days to over 7 months depending on the role you choose, so keep this in mind when looking at which field to specialize in.