1. How do I join the Navy Reserves (directly from Active Duty)?
Sailors on active duty E3-E6 may submit a SELRES PTS quota request to affiliate with the Navy Reserve when they are 15-3 months within their EAOS. Sailors that have completed at least 24 months and not more that 16 years of active service may submit an Enlisted Early Career Transition Program request. Once you are approved for a SELRES PTS or ECTP quota complete the Reserve Affiliation Screening Checklist/Career Transition Office (CTO) Contact Information Sheet and forward it to the CTO. If you do not get SELRES PTS quota or ECTP approval, you may still be able to affiliate via a local Navy Recruiter after your EAOS (as noted below? Need to reference how and under what circumstances).
Chief Petty Officers and Senior Chief Petty Officer’s who wish to affiliate with the Navy Reserve must contact PSC Jaime Coronado at 901-874-4508 jaime.coronado@navy.mil to discuss SELRES affiliation options.
1a. My SELRES PTS approval letter says I should contact my local recruiter.
SELRES PTS Approval letters PRIOR to December 2011 direct Sailors to contact a local recruiter because at the time when SELRES PTS was implemented that was the only option for Sailors to affiliate in the Navy Reserve. As of December 2011, all SELRES PTS Approval letters direct Sailors to contact the CTO. All Sailors who have a SELRES PTS quota should contact the CTO for Reserve affiliation.
1b. I showed up at the Navy Operational Support Center (NOSC) and the Personnel/Admin representative told me they did not have any information on me and I was not in NSIPS-R and sent me to see a recruiter. I went to see the recruiter and they told me I was not in the Navy Reserve and sent me back to the NOSC.
Sailors who have a SELRES PTS quota or have been approved for ECTP are processed in to the Navy Reserves via the CTO. The NOSC and Navy Recruiting do not have visibility on you while you are still being processed in to the Navy Reserves via the CTO. Contact the CTO prior to reporting to the NOSC at 901-874-4108 or cto.enlisted@navy.mil and the CTO will coordinate your ‘Welcome Aboard/Check-in’ at the NOSC.
1c. I have been approved to transition to the Selected Reserves from Active Duty via Perform-To-Serve (PTS)/Early Career Transition Program (ECTP) – what is my next step in the reserve affiliation process?
Please see your Command Career Counselor and complete the CTO Contact Information Sheet and the Reserve Affiliation Screening Checklist immediately. Contact the CTO at 901-874-4108 or cto.enlisted@navy.mil if your CCC doesn’t have these documents. Return the completed documents at cto.enlisted@navy.mil ASAP to begin your transition. The CTO will provide a signed reserve contract and PRISE-R/Bonus page 13’s (if necessary).
1d. I have completed my Reserve Affiliation Screening Checklist and CTO Contact Information Sheet and returned them to the CTO. Now what do I do?
That is great! Now be patient - you will not be gained into the Navy Reserve until the day AFTER your EAOS at the earliest. What you can do to ensure that you are gained in a timely manner is provide your Transition Assistant a copy of your DD 214 an relay to your separation clerk that you must be lost from the Active Component immediately after your EAOS so you can be gained in the Navy Reserve.
1e. I have completed my Reserve Affiliation Screening Checklist and CTO Contact Information Sheet, signed my reserve reenlistment contract, page 13’s and returned them to the CTO along with a copy of my DD 214. When do I show up at the NOSC?
Please do not show up at the NOSC until you receive an email from the CTO with copies of all of your paperwork and a letter explaining exactly when to go to the NOSC to check in for indoctrination. The NOSC gets your paperwork via that same email that is sent to you when you are gained and they will not know whom you are or what you are doing there if you show up before you receive your documents and letter via email.
1f. I was approved for PTS back in March 2011. I transferred from Atsugi, Japan, to TPU Bangor on 8 Dec 2011. I was discharged 30 Jan 2012. I contacted my NOSC on 7 Jan 2012 and I’m still not gained in NSIPS-R.
That is correct. You will not be gained in NSIPS-R until after your EAOS. The NOSC would not be able to see you in NSIPS-R until January 31, at the earliest.
1g. I am going on terminal leave. Should I reenlist, if necessary, in the Navy Reserve prior to separating?
Yes. Doing so will allow a smooth transition to the Reserves and minimize processing time after you separate. Have your Command Career Counselor contact the CTO at 901-874-4108 for further guidance.
1h. When does my SELRES PTS quota expire?
60 days after your EAOS.
2. I was not selected for retention on Active Duty by the Enlisted Retention Board (ERB). Can I continue my Navy career in the Navy Reserve?
Yes. If you are interested in continuing to serve in the Navy Reserve, contact your Command Career Counselor and request a Selected Reserve PTS quota via /Fleet Ride-PTS. If approved, refer to question #1.
E6’s with over 14 years but less than 15 years of service on 1 September 2012, Chief Petty Officers and Senior Chief Petty Officer’s who wish to affiliate with the Navy Reserve must contact PSC Jaime Coronado at 901-874-4508 jaime.coronado@navy.mil to discuss SELRES affiliation options.
3. What is TERA?
Temporary Early Retirement Authority (TERA), allows Navy Personnel not selected for retention on Active duty by the Enlisted Retention Board to transfer to the Fleet Reserve as long as they have 15 years of active duty service by September 1, 2012. For more information on TERA and the ERB refer to this link: http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/boards/ERB/Pages/default2.aspx
4. I was not approved for a SELRES PTS quota. Do I still qualify for ISP?
Yes. However, you must affiliate with the Inactive Ready Reserve (IRR) in a non-pay status to take advantage of this benefit; see question #9. Your command must submit an IRR request on your behalf prior to your release-from-active-duty date (RAD). Contact PERS 93 at this link: http://www.public.navy.mil/BUPERS-NPC/CAREER/RESERVEPERSONNELMGMT/Pages/InvoluntarySeparationPay(ISP).aspx for further information.
5. I am currently frocked and will not be advanced (start getting paid) until AFTER I am released from Active Duty. Will I keep my frocked pay-grade in the Navy Reserve?
You may be able to. You must be advanced (being paid) to the next pay-grade while on Active Duty before transitioning to the Reserve. However, once affiliated in the Reserve, you may request a rate determination based on the most recent final multiple in the Reserve for your rating & pay-grade to determine whether you will be able to regain the next pay grade in the Navy Reserve. Contact your NOSC ESO for further information. You will be gained in the Navy Reserve in the pay grade that is on your DD 214.
6. I am SRB eligible. Do I qualify for a Bonus in the Navy Reserve?
There are rates/NEC’s that are bonus eligible in the Navy Reserve. Refer to NAVADMIN 001/12 for current Rates/NEC’s that qualify for a bonus in the Selected Reserves.
7. If I accept Involuntary Separation Pay (ISP), and affiliate with the Navy Reserve, will that make me ineligible for the Reserve Bonus if I qualify for one?
No. Involuntary Separation Pay and the Selected Reserve bonus are two separate payments. Contact the CTO at 901-874-4108 or cto.enlisted@navy.mil for further information.
ENLISTED AC TO RC TRANSITION PROCESS
9. I am eligible for ISP, but I do not want to be a SELRES (drilling reservist). What do I do?
For Sailors who do not desire to Affiliate / Reenlist in the SELRES you may OBLISERV into the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) to meet the obligated service requirements to be eligible for Involuntary Separation Pay as long as your Reserve IRR obligation is for three (3) or more years. Contact the IRR Counselor at: 1-800-535-2699 or visit the following website at: http://www.public.navy.mil/BUPERS-NPC/CAREER/RESERVEPERSONNELMGMT/Pages/InvoluntarySeparationPay(ISP).aspx
10. I just got back from deployment. Will I be deployed/mobilized in the Navy Reserve right away?
Per NAVADMIN 007/07 individuals who affiliate with the Navy Reserve within 6 months (183 days) or between 7 and 12 months (184-365 days) of release from active duty qualify for two and one year deferments, respectively, from involuntary mobilization.
11. How much will I be paid while in the Navy Reserve?
Click on this link, http://www.dfas.mil/militarymembers/payentitlements/militarypaytables.html click on Jan 2012 and when the pdf file opens scroll down to the Drill Pay page, to see the current pay scale for the Navy Reserve. Pay is based on several factors such as pay grade, time in service, and number of drills performed.
12. Can I earn a retirement in the Navy Reserve?
It is possible to earn a retirement with pay in the Navy Reserve if you complete 20 qualifying years of service. Contact the CTO at 901-874-4108 or cto.enlisted@navy.mil for further information.
13. What are my obligations while in the Navy Reserve?
SELRES must attend assigned training sessions (i.e. Drill Weekend -DWE) and at least 12 days of Annual Duty Training each year to qualify for a satisfactory year towards retirement. Flexible drill schedules are possible with the approval of the Unit Commanding Officer.
14. What are some of the benefits of serving in the Navy Reserve?
• Tricare Low-cost medical and dental coverage.
Direct Transition between the AC and RC, with no delay or break in service, makes you eligible for Transition Assistance Management Program (TAMP) (TA-180) medical coverage. This coverage allows you to continue the same coverage with the same deductibles/co-pays that you had on Active Duty with no additional premiums for a period of six months.
• Educational assistance through the Montgomery GI Bill – Selected Reserve
• Supplemental income (drill pay, Active Duty Training)
• Advanced skills training
• Management and leadership experience
• Promotions based on ability and performance
• Exchange and Commissary privileges
• SGLI insurance, providing up to $400,000 in coverage
• Travel opportunities (Space-A, Annual Training)
• Retirement with pay at age 60 (and 20 qualifying years of service)
14a. How much will my reserve retirement be worth? Click on the link below and it will take you to the Navy Retirement Calculator on BUPERS online.
https://staynavytools.bol.navy.mil/RetCalc/Default.aspx
15. Where will I perform drills and Annual Training?
Drills are typically performed at the Navy Operational Support Center (NOSC) that you have chosen in non-fleet concentration areas. Annual Training (AT) can be performed within the continental United States, or at many global locations around the world. Click on this link to see the NOSC closest to where you intend to live. Everywhere you see a blue triangle there is a corresponding NOSC where you may drill. http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/career/transition/Documents/Regional%20Map%20%202011.pdf. Contact the CTO at 901-874-4108 or cto.enlisted@navy.mil for further information.
