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What is Navy Reserve Training?

By Jason C. Chavis
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 22,665
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Navy Reserve training is the physical and operational procedures undertaken by members of the United States military in the Navy Reserve. As a branch of the Armed Forces, the Navy Reserve operates with people who choose not to commit to full-time service or people retired from general Naval service. In peacetime, military reserve training is conducted for one weekend a month and two weeks per year. In times of war or national emergency, however, this increases to more regular service.

When a person joins the Navy as an active duty service member, they also agree to join the Ready Reserve following their tour of duty. This can be for a brief period of time or longer depending on the particular contract to which the person agrees. Usually, a person enters the Navy Reserve with the same paygrade and job he or she obtained while in active duty.

Navy Reserve training is generally conducted with the unit closest to a person's residency. This enables the individual to better balance his or her time in the civilian world with the requirements of the military. For example, a person living in Minnesota would serve at the Minneapolis Naval Reserve location. Exceptions to this rule, however, are enacted when a person has specialized skills which may require the person to perform training at sites associated with these operations.

Military veterans of other branches interested in Navy Reserve training do not have to repeat basic training. Those entering directly into the Navy Reserve, however, require recruit training prior to service. This is conducted at the Great Lakes, Illinois, facility. The purpose is to turn a regular civilian into a sailor over the course of nine weeks. Following this, those individuals qualifying for officer positions attend Direct Commission Officer's School in Pensacola, Florida. In order to be an officer, a person must be 18 to 35 years old and have a bachelor's degree.

Navy Reserve training involves conditioning, both physical and mental. In order to prepare for this training, recruits should work to build up strength and aerobic conditioning. The Navy itself recommends jogging and swimming as well as a strict regimen of strength-building exercises such as crunches and push-ups. It is also important to make sure one is getting enough fluids both before and after working out. By properly preparing for Navy Reserve training, one can ensure the best possible outcome prior to service with the organization.

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Discussion Comments
By KoiwiGal — On Jan 26, 2012

@indigomoth - Well, that's the trade off though. You get incredible training, pay, insurance camaraderie and so forth, and in exchange you promise to fight if necessary.

In reality I think it's unlikely that reserve troops would get sent overseas to fight. They are more likely to be stationed at home in place of regular troops who get shipped out.

But still, you have to weight up whether the benefits are worth it. I can well understand and respect someone not making that commitment if they don't think they can honor it.

It's much better to know that about yourself before you go into the commitment than after it.

By indigomoth — On Jan 26, 2012

@umbra21 - My problem with joining the reserve naval troops or any other armed forces is that I don't think I could bring myself to fight in a war if I don't agree with the reason for the war.

Now, I understand that there's always a possibility of conscription during wartime anyway, and I would definitely volunteer for something like medical service.

But I just couldn't promise to kill people who haven't done anything wrong. And I don't trust my government not to take that decision out of my hands.

It might seem easy enough to just do a few weekends per year in training, but the reality is they are training you so that if there is a war, you can fight. It's not all community service.

By umbra21 — On Jan 25, 2012

My sister was in the army reserve here and she absolutely loved it. She said it was the perfect combination of socializing and work, and she felt like she was making a difference in the community as well, as the reserve troops often did community support work.

She learned all kinds of things she'd otherwise never have learned, like how to use a gun, and first aid and so forth, and she also kept fitter than she probably would have been inspired to be on her own.

Plus she said the money was quite a nice bonus, particularly since it wasn't a regular job.

So, I would ask around other people who have done it to get their experiences, but from what I've heard it's a pretty cool thing to do.

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