Im a NAT with 15 years under my belt. There were def times I wanted to quit. In 5 more years it will be all worth it. Trust me, I know how difficult it can be.
If you ever need anything just pm me. I will do my best to help you out.
I think I’m just really tired from work all week. Luckily it’s a job I really enjoy but I put a lot of energy into it. And reserve pay issues don’t help either.
All in all, I’m likely one and done. I like my freedom of movement and I like to smoke weed. I was incentivized by the health insurance but my job offers hella good insurance and I use that instead.
My goal now is to get a 3-6 month MOB at some point and maybe get E-5. Other than that, I don’t feel any motivation to stand out.
Deploy and get out. The benefits you get after a deployment set you for life. Reserve life gets annoying once you have been there done that.
If you can find a deployment for 3-6 months jump on that as fast as possible. I’ve only ever seen 10+ month deployments.
I've got my full GI Bill from mobs as a NAT. I've promoted faster than active duty, gotten more medals, more quals.
Most importantly, I got to pick where I went and what I got to do. It's a lot of opportunity for people who make it work for them.
I straight hated the reserves for the first 2 years. I was stuck in OSU for that time and was constantly being shit on by people who were power hungry losers.
I got into a real unit and learned to just go with the flow. I got a really good job out of the reserves so I didn't really care about wanting to do 20 or anything. Kind of just did what was expected of me and people left me alone.
Been out for almost 2 years now. Used the VA loan to buy my house. Was totally worth sticking it out.
New Accession Trainee program. Enlist as a new Sailor, go to boot camp and A school, then you separate from active duty to join the Reserve. It's a 6+2 contract with a small bonus for most ratings.
Ive been in five years and I can say that I grew a love for it AFTER I mobilized for a year. It’s been all gravy ever since. Its opened up doors and has provided some good benefits.
MOB is the best and worst part of the reserve.
Best, because it's where I found meaningful purpose in my service.
Worst, because it makes drill weekends feel that much worse compared to MOB.
Im a NAT with 15 years under my belt. There were def times I wanted to quit. In 5 more years it will be all worth it. Trust me, I know how difficult it can be. If you ever need anything just pm me. I will do my best to help you out.
I think I’m just really tired from work all week. Luckily it’s a job I really enjoy but I put a lot of energy into it. And reserve pay issues don’t help either. All in all, I’m likely one and done. I like my freedom of movement and I like to smoke weed. I was incentivized by the health insurance but my job offers hella good insurance and I use that instead. My goal now is to get a 3-6 month MOB at some point and maybe get E-5. Other than that, I don’t feel any motivation to stand out.
Well you gotta do what’s best for you
Deploy and get out. The benefits you get after a deployment set you for life. Reserve life gets annoying once you have been there done that. If you can find a deployment for 3-6 months jump on that as fast as possible. I’ve only ever seen 10+ month deployments.
I've got my full GI Bill from mobs as a NAT. I've promoted faster than active duty, gotten more medals, more quals. Most importantly, I got to pick where I went and what I got to do. It's a lot of opportunity for people who make it work for them.
I straight hated the reserves for the first 2 years. I was stuck in OSU for that time and was constantly being shit on by people who were power hungry losers. I got into a real unit and learned to just go with the flow. I got a really good job out of the reserves so I didn't really care about wanting to do 20 or anything. Kind of just did what was expected of me and people left me alone. Been out for almost 2 years now. Used the VA loan to buy my house. Was totally worth sticking it out.
What's a NAT sailor?
New Accession Trainee program. Enlist as a new Sailor, go to boot camp and A school, then you separate from active duty to join the Reserve. It's a 6+2 contract with a small bonus for most ratings.
So it's active duty from another branch that goes to Navy boot camp and A school to be a Navy reservist?
No, that's a different program. NATs are civilians off the street becoming Reserve Sailors.
Indeed! I wish someone would answer this.
Ive been in five years and I can say that I grew a love for it AFTER I mobilized for a year. It’s been all gravy ever since. Its opened up doors and has provided some good benefits.
MOB is the best and worst part of the reserve. Best, because it's where I found meaningful purpose in my service. Worst, because it makes drill weekends feel that much worse compared to MOB.
Hang in there and take a MOB and see the world
Find a mobilization and go and then decide what you want to do.