Air Force Reserve Employee Reviews about "active duty"

Pros

Good paycheck, good amount of hours and experience to start an aviation career, and a great resume builder.

Cons

From the pilot side of the house. Flying is NOT your actual job. The distractions will be many, support will be minimal, and more and more the Reserves see themselves as your primary employment instead of a part time job as it was originally intended. Get your time in, do some good in the world, then when you have your hours and your commitment is done get your apps out to the rest of the aviation industry. That's IF you have a passion for flying. If your passion is to just be IN the military but don't want to be forced to move every three years, flying is something you are ambivalent about then there are no real negatives. If you aren't bothered by spending a career arguing with agencies and individuals over non-mission related details every step of the way in trying to get anything done then you will enjoy the second half of a Reserve career past your commitment. For some it's a dream job. But don't expect the pilot shortage to go away, which also means if you are looking for a reserve career not involved in flying you would do well to find a reserve job at a base that is joint owned with active duty or whose primary purpose has nothing to do with flying airplanes. That way you don't have to worry about finding yourself needing to relocate or just without a job 10 years in to your career because such a base loses funding or gets shut down.

Pros

Part time Military, it is 2 days a month and 2 weeks a year commitment. Receive all the benefits of being a service member, with minor exceptions. Health and Dental insurance (for an individual) is very good and very affordable. It is easy to cross-train if you are unsatisfied with your job. Any active duty time counts towards retirement, and towards getting your pension earlier.

Cons

For my position; I work outside in the elements. It is physically demanding at times. The vision insurance isn't the best, but comes as part of the Health Benefits.

Pros

Stable job. Good benefits. Travel opportunities are there if you want it.

Cons

Hard to advance unless someone retires or moves. Treated like active duty but paid way waaaaaaay less.