Joining Reserve, with a twist...

noid Curtis E. Carr Jawja

I know all about people already being in the Reserves/Guard or joining after being employed with the FAA. What I have not seen, and what I am contemplating, is veterans going into the Reserves/Guard, after they have started their military time buy-back.

I was just at my brother's commissioning ceremony where he picked up Warrant Officer, took a tour of the ship, etc. Call me crazy, but I miss it. I'm almost done with my degree, so if I do go back, I'll be trying to go in as an officer this time around.

I know who I can officially ask, but I'm off for the next two days and was curious if anyone here knew about un-buying back your military time. Also, are you able to retire from the FAA and retire from the Reserves/Guard? Wasn't sure if that was considered "double-dipping" since the RMC bids won't let you retire from the FAA.

MJ0730 Senior Member

you can retire from both. an RMC hire would never meet the time req's to retire from the FAA.

NYcGaNgStEr Trusted Member Brooklyn, NY

Yes double dip away you can be drilling and going on AT until you retire from both ... I believe you can only buy-back active duty time not drilling time so how ever many years you spent on "Active" duty is the time that counts but as a reservist the time you spend goes to retirement points. once you for fill 20+ years total you can retire but may have to wait to recieve a pension from the Navy until you reach 59.

Hope this helps you.....

liondave Senior Member Seattle

Side question...to join the guard or reserves as an officer don't you have to spend 3 years active duty after OCS?

MJ0730 Senior Member

As I understand it, that's active duty OCS. You can join a non-ad unit directly, where that wouldn't apply. The table won't cut and paste, but http://www.apd.army.mil/pdffiles/r135_91.pdf page 3 is the service obligation

noid Curtis E. Carr Jawja

Right, but if I'm in the process of buying back my active duty time, is it correct then that my active duty time will NOT count as points towards my reserve retirement?

MJ0730 Senior Member

time will only count towards one or the other. the details of how it works out since you've already started buying it back, I don't know how that will work.

I would assume FAA retirement will pay a lot more than any military retirement you could get, which buying back your time would be more beneficial. But thats a generalized statement that might not apply to you (maybe you'll be a joint chief someday?)

noid Curtis E. Carr Jawja

Ok, let's say that my previous active duty time has been eaten by Rodents of Unusual Size. I'll be able to retire from the Reserves so long as I can give 20 years before I'm 60? I know that for active duty, my active duty time would give me more money as an officer, not sure about the reserves. I had not thought about continuing to buy back my active duty time and just start over with the Reserves. Time to play around with some math, but I would venture to say that you are right. Monetarily speaking, I would come out on top just starting fresh.

MJ0730 Senior Member

your time served will count towards years needed to retire. if you buy it back, you just won't be payed for it in the military retirement