Advancement

Promotions

You will have regular opportunities for advancement. In general terms, these Army ranks are broken down into three groups -- Junior Enlisted (E-1 through E-4), NCOs (E-4 through E-6) and Senior NCOs (E-7 through E-9). For Reservists, a minimum time in grade promotion timeline looks like this:

  Rank Time-in-Grade
  E-1 Private 0 Months
E-2 Private 2nd Class 6 Months
E-3 Private First Class 12 Months
E-4 Specialist 6 Months**
E-4 Corporal 16 Months
E-5 Sergeant 24 Months
E-6 Staff Sergeant 34 Months

*Note that the times shown are the minimum times required to reach each rank. Promotions to Sgt (E-5) and above are based on an Army-wide competition. The competition is based on a point system that grants points for firing range scores, performance evaluations, physical fitness, education level, awards, and promotion board ranking.

**Those enlisting with a four-year college degree or who have certain specialized civilian skills or training can enter Basic Training as a Specialist.

Professional Develoment

Continued education and training are critical in preparing Reservists to meet emerging challenges throughout their careers. We operate in an unpredictable landscape that requires flexibility and responsiveness in the Army's developmental education processes, resulting in a variety of professional training opportunities for Soldiers of all levels. We are focused on making simple, transparent, and agile systems that are responsive to the Army's and Soldier's training needs so all Reservists can reach their full potential.

Many Reserve Component officers are leaders in the community, industry, and in the corporate world. Many positions in corporations provide training and experience not only useful to the military but closely related to military specialty skills. Leadership in a civilian occupation provides evidence of potential for military leadership positions, promoting professional development.

Professional Military Education

Reservists continue to be offered paths and educational opportunities to develop into even stronger Soldiers. The Army invests time and resources to fuel innovation to help you achieve your goals and bring out your highest potential.

Other Professional Development Programs

With financial assistance available every step of the way, we provide you with the opportunity to take your training and education as far as you strive to go.

Prior-Service Program

There are financial incentives available to you just for re-enlisting with the Army Reserve. If you have prior military service, you could qualify for a 3-year enlistment bonus worth up to $20,000. This bonus is only available for enlistment into the Army Reserve within designated bonus-eligible Military Occupational Specialties (MOS). Eligibility and amounts change frequently so check with your recruiter.
Prior service Army Reserve members receive several other exclusive benefits, including eligibility for the Employer Partnership and Military Service Obligation programs.
Commissioning Programs
The Army Reserve depends on strong leaders: its commissioned officers. 

As a Reservist with Active Duty experience, you may work toward becoming a commissioned officer at some point in your career. CO's maintain a commitment to excellence, make critical decisions, lead every mission, and guide Army Soldiers by the thousands.

As an Active Duty Soldier, you'll get to maintain your current rank when you transition to the Army Reserve. If you're seeking to further your Army career, you also have the chance to apply for a direct commission and become an Officer or apply for the Warrant Officer program.

Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC)

ROTC provides you the opportunity to go to college and train to become an Army Officer at the same time, in exchange for paid tuition. Offered at more than 1,000 colleges and universities, you can get college experience along with a guaranteed career after graduation as a highly respected second lieutenant in the Army, Army Reserve, or Army National Guard.

In Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC), a career is waiting for you when you graduate.

Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty (GRFD) or Minuteman Scholarship

The GRFD scholarship program is designed for students or Cadets interested in obtaining a commission as an officer in the US Army Reserve with a guarantee for a Reserve Component assignment. GRFD scholarships provide full in-state tuition and fees, or up to $10,000 room and board between 2-4 years for eligible candidates.

GRFD Cadets must participate in the Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP) while attending college which means you will also receive pay for attending a drill one weekend per month as well as a two week annual training in a local Reserve unit. In return for these scholarship benefits, you will serve as an Army Reserve Commissioned Officer in a drilling status for 8 years after Graduation.

If you are a high school senior interested in receiving an Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) scholarship and commissioning into the Army Reserve, the GRFD Scholarship Minuteman Campaign provides you an excellent opportunity.

Warrant Officer Development

Training programs are available and designed to provide a balance of military experience during each USAR warrant officer's career. Career management is of critical importance to modern Reserve warrant officers. Modern Reserve warrant officers are complex people with numerous skills and disciplines, both civilian and military. The Army recognizes and appreciates this and has developed a program to keep Warrant Officers from becoming stagnant in their career.

Officer Candidate School (OCS)

Whether you're a first-time Soldier or have prior military experience, OCS will transform you into an effective leader. OCS is 12 weeks of intense classroom and field training held at Fort Benning, GA. 

To attend Officer Candidate School, you must be a U.S. citizen and a college graduate, be at least 18 years of age at the time of regular Army enlistment and entered active duty or ship to training on or before your 30th birthday. Army Reserve, be at least 18 years of age at the time of enlistment and entered active duty or ship to training on or before your 35th birthday. (Age waiver will be granted on meritorious cases only). High school seniors may also apply.

Assignments

Switching from Active Duty to the Army Reserve is a process that varies between Soldiers reaching the Expiration of Term of Service (ETS), Soldiers separating and Officers separating.

Active Duty members may transfer into the Reserve Component in any available position for which they qualify.


Military Information Support

Military Information Support Operations reservists analyze, develop, and distribute information designed to convince
enemy, neutral, and friendly nations and forces to act favorably to the United States and its allies. Careers in this category include:
  • Psychological Operations Specialist 
  • Human Intelligence Collector

Medical Services

The Army Reserve supports the Army's hospitals, triage centers, clinics, and field medical-care units in peacetime, during conflicts, and during national emergencies. As you might expect, the medical capabilities of Army Reserve Soldiers often exceed active duty's because they bring their civilian experience to the table. In this field, careers to consider include:
  • Operating Room Specialist
  • Field Veterinarian Service.

Civil Affairs

Soldiers in the Army Reserve help countries establish or restore governmental institutions and functions during times of both war and peace. To support this effort, the Army Reserve trains cultural experts to be the link between the Army and local civilians around the world. Army Reserve Civil Affairs careers include:
  • Civil Affairs Specialist
  • Engineer Officers

Information & Cyber Technology

Soldiers in the Army Reserve use their civilian and military training to safeguard the nation's data and develop secure communications technologies. They also maintain, process, and troubleshoot military information systems. Some examples of Army Reserve IT & Cyber careers include:
  • IT Specialist
  • Systems Operator-Maintainer
  • Cyber Network Defender
  • Cyber Operations Officer
  • Cyber Operations Specialist

Biohazard Protection

The Army Reserve responds to chemical and biological threats and provides biohazard training to federal agencies. Army Reserve Soldiers play a crucial role in the maintenance and supervision of nuclear, biological, and chemical detection, and decontamination equipment. Some examples of Biohazard Protection careers include:
  • Chemical Operations Specialist
  • Chemical Equipment Repairer

Logistics

Soldiers in the Army Reserve operate the transportation and supply systems that keep the Army in motion, supplying troops around the world with everything from vehicles to mail from home. Many Officer opportunities under this program are in the Army's Reserve Component! Careers in Logistics in the Army Reserve include:
  • Motor Transport Operator
  • Transportation Management Coordinator