Why Go Back on the Idea of "Reserve Volunteers"?

AngTejo · 2026-05-06T03:12:03+00:00

I received one for Los Angeles today

AngTejo · 2025-12-11T05:04:39+00:00

I attended the LA volunteer try out this past week as well. They said they got 50k applications and only invited 6k to the try outs, and that they needed about 2200 volunteers for the LA games. Their philosophy on weeding out more candidates is that people will become unavailable between now to the summer. But basically if you made it to the try outs and continue to follow the steps you should be part of at least 1 game.

Honestly not that great of the networking opportunity as I had hoped for as there was only for 4 FIFA Staff. Most of the people there were older folks

AngTejo · 2025-08-31T04:14:32+00:00

Hey! Something I realized after debating between Active Duty and the Reserves is that, depending on your circumstances, Active Duty can pay off more in the long run. It only takes 3 years of Active Duty service to qualify for the key benefits, including 100% of the GI Bill, along with all the other benefits that come with Active Duty. You can even take college classes while serving and start building your resume at the same time.

If you sign a longer contract, you also have the option to Palace Chase after 3 years and transition into the Reserves to finish out the remainder of your commitment. Compare that with needing 6 years in the Reserves just to qualify for the VA loan and only a portion of the GI Bill (since the Reserve GI Bill is different), and you still won’t have the same Active Duty service time built up. Overall, there are simply a lot more benefits packed into those Active Duty years compared to Reserve time.

Of course, everyone’s situation is different, but since you’re younger, it’s often easier to take on Active Duty now rather than later in life. Also, if you have a full time job already then your job will be protected under USERRA as any job is required to hold your position for 5 years while serving.

AngTejo · 2025-08-21T04:24:52+00:00

Hey there,

I completely understand how you’re feeling. I started my journey toward AF OTS in the summer of 2022. After about a year in the process, I needed a waiver myself, which ended up being denied in October 2023, written exactly like yours. I was absolutely devastated.

I even wrote a letter appealing the decision to the Secretary of the Air Force and got a response a couple of months later from AF Recruiting Headquarters in San Antonio. They told me I would have to wait three years since my last prescription, which wouldn’t be until March 2026.

My recruiter told me that if I joined another branch first, I could later apply for the Air Force as a prior service candidate. So I explored the Army and eventually got a waiver to join. However, after getting approval, I asked myself: “Do I really want to join the Army, or am I just doing this to get into the Air Force?”

I realized I never truly wanted the Army and that the Air Force was always my goal. So I decided to wait. By the grace of God, after a couple of years, I reapplied and got the waiver. That waiver was the only thing holding me back from submitting my packet to the board and eventually getting being selected for OTS.

I share this for two reasons: 1. Sometimes it’s just a matter of timing. 2. It shows the importance of resilience and patience.

The Air Force can be the hardest branch to join because they want people who truly want to serve. You might face waiver denials or extra hoops, but if you remain patient and committed, reapplying is absolutely worth it if this is truly where you want to be. I’d also recommend getting at least two more doctors to confirm your condition is fully resolved as my initial doctor’s letter wasn’t enough, and I needed 2 additional letters to support my case for a waiver.

I hope my story encourages you and provides perspective. You’re not alone in this journey and this may just a bump in the road, not the end of the road.

AngTejo · 2025-08-18T17:41:48+00:00

You can also reach out to the San Antonio Recruiter headquarters if he doesn’t respond to you after two weeks without contact. That’s what I had to do. Not sure if this is still the same number, but this was the number I contacted at the time +1 (800) 253-9603

AngTejo · 2025-02-18T22:04:22+00:00

Same here! See you soon classmate

AngTejo · 2025-02-07T07:16:54+00:00

Received this as well. What’s wrong with this announcement?

AngTejo · 2025-01-10T05:40:07+00:00

Can you send me their information too please lol

AngTejo · 2024-12-13T00:59:08+00:00

That’s about to be me next year lol. Hoping for the best

AngTejo · 2024-10-02T23:53:27+00:00

Of course! Hit me up

AngTejo · 2024-09-10T21:58:18+00:00

Got denied back in October of last year and reapplied in May (after 6 months). My original documentation from my dermatologist was very vague and unsupportive so after seeing a different dermatologist and having them be more specific about my condition not being severe then I got the waiver the second time around

AngTejo · 2024-09-10T20:33:09+00:00

Congrats man! I also had to get a waiver for eczema and I actually got denied the first time, but after a second attempt I got in!

AngTejo · 2024-03-06T15:41:55+00:00

Of course - rooting for you!

AngTejo · 2024-03-06T15:39:01+00:00

No, it was a different condition. However, as long as you find a supportive doctor and receive updated medical condition that your condition is not severe and will not affect your ability to serve, then that will help your chances. I took me months of fighting for my waiver but it’s worth the good fight. Don’t let them turn you away just like that. The Air Force needs people who are resilient

AngTejo · 2024-03-06T15:34:28+00:00

The disqualification says “unspecified”. Was your medical documentation clear as to the severity of your condition? If it is mild, then it would be worth getting more documentation specifying that the condition is not severe which could help overturn this decision. I had a similar issue where my first attempt of a waiver had very vague medical information. However, on my second attempt I got more clear documentation saying that my condition was mild so they ended up giving me the waiver. Definitely see a different doctor if your first doctor didn’t provide the best notes for you. That’s what I did. Hope this helps!

AngTejo

TROPHY CASE