The typical options presented to graduating high school students are: (1) trade school; (2) college; or (3) military service. Absent from the presented options is a very important opportunity — pursue your education or trade while simultaneously pursing a career in the Army Reserve.
A person can join the active Army (full-time, year-round service) or the Army Reserve, usually consisting of one weekend a month and two weeks a year of service time. The Army Reserve’s limited time commitment allows a person to simultaneously pursue other educational or career opportunities.
Remember, too, that the Army Reserve needs to fill all kinds of jobs. More than two-thirds of soldiers fill noncombat jobs offering support to the combat troops. The point is that there is room to pursue many different jobs in the Army Reserve.
Service in the military is gratifying in and of itself, but there’s more. The Army Reserve offers scholarships to pay for college with guaranteed reserve duty. Service provides pay, subsidized health care, training and even years of service toward a pension.
Importantly, not only are work absences for military service protected by federal law, but our community vigorously supports its soldiers and their service.
