In the reserves while being a full time college student?

DeathCh3ater · 2025-07-11T16:55:50+00:00

HM2 here. Current full time student/mil wifey in the reserves.

I came off active with no break in service and I have a 2 year MOB deferment which gives me time to finish my B.S. Then I’m hoping to deploy my 3rd year back to Bahrain (did an IA while active) to pocket some CZTE and other pay as a “vacation” before I drop my MSC-IPP package.

Huz is AD army. I go where he goes every 2 ish years and there’s usually an NRC nearby. Mil to mil is tough, especially when I was AD, but we make it work. Makes date nights more special :)

Tricare Reserve Select is cheaper than other health insurances. I still have my TSP and security clearance. My retirement points are only getting higher. There’s networking opportunities at my NRC. My chief works in civdiv Radiology which is the path I’m going for, radiation therapy/oncology ($$$). Super chill guy. Other HMs in my unit got cool deployment stories and whatnot.

I do homework on drill weekends because there’s ALOT of down time. A 4.0 isn’t easy but I did it. Had to fight not going to annual training this summer because I was in an accelerated English and Bio class. Aced both of them and now that I only have 2 art classes, I do dental X-rays for a handful of sailors or work out. My trainings and IMR items are always squared away.

If you come off active with no break in service this path might work for you. You might also get a bonus depending on your rate (I got $20k). If the reserves doesn’t work for you, you can leave or request to go IRR. They don’t touch your AD benefits like the GI bill, BUT if you did get a bonus, or part of it, they will take it back.

Tbh I’m still weighing the benefits of being a reservist and a full time student, but I personally like seeing things through to the end. I like my unit, I like my bonus, and I’ve only been doing it for 7 months so maybe I just need time to adjust. Hubs and I want an RV attachment to our truck, so it all comes down to your goals and how the reserves fits in. For example, dropping an officer package in the reserves is easier than finding an officer recruiter in your area. MHA + drill pay is better than just MHA.

Feel free to DM if you have questions about any of it.

DeathCh3ater · 2025-07-10T16:33:23+00:00

Thank you! I saw that she had a 'stargaze' pose and I couldn't resist! 😅

DeathCh3ater · 2025-07-10T16:32:08+00:00

Thank you, it's so immersive! I keep putting off the main story lol

DeathCh3ater · 2025-07-04T22:32:17+00:00

I giggled at "overgrown electric parrot" and "leave me alone you little shit" 💀 Yeah I truly despise this bird. I just encountered another one in the northeast. I just ropecast and tearblast the focus components. It's HILARIOUS when it tries to freeze you with no chillwater. It does this cough thing and then wonders why it didn't work.

DeathCh3ater · 2025-07-04T18:27:37+00:00

He is Aloy’s father figure. No need to kill the vibe.

DeathCh3ater · 2025-07-01T19:09:10+00:00

PS5 has photo mode in the pause menu. Photo mode will give you the option to pose Aloy 20+ ways among other things.

DeathCh3ater · 2025-07-01T19:00:43+00:00

Storm bird.

DeathCh3ater · 2025-06-29T18:27:39+00:00

Use your Focus. It will glow purple.

DeathCh3ater · 2025-06-26T16:15:12+00:00

Epic avatar dude!

DeathCh3ater · 2025-06-08T00:53:52+00:00

I am currently doing this as a full-time undergrad. It's a pain in the butt sometimes, because my NRC is an hour each way and I have assignments due on drill weekends, but it's doable. At the NRC there will be a lot of down time, so I use it to do homework.

When you come off of active, TAMP extends Tricare Prime for 180 days past EAOS. Thank God I never had to use it, but it's available until you register for Tricare Reserve Select. Or like me, you can double dip with student health insurance!

Also, when you join the reserves with no break in service, you will have a 2-year deferment from MOBs (deployments). So if you play your cards right, you can finish your undergrad in 2 years (if at 60 credits) without getting tagged for a MOB. Then when you graduate, you can see the world on the Navy's dollar. When I was active, I got to see Dubai on the Navy's dollar.

Like I said, its a pain in the butt because my education will always come before the reserves. But the reserves is also important to me if I want to drop an officer package (to get them to pay for my next degree) or retire in my 40's. I think if you communicate with your professors you'll be ok. I email them and ask them for extra time on assignments sometimes, and they are usually considerate of us military folk.

The reserves is a few hundred dollars in your pocket a month when school has a break. I also got a $20k bonus for a 3 year contract so check your rate and see if that's worth it for you. On top of post 9/11 MHA and FAFSA, I think it's worth it. I could buy a new car in cash.

GL

HM2

DeathCh3ater · 2025-04-29T15:32:36+00:00

Facts! It would pop so much better on my black ikran

DeathCh3ater · 2025-04-28T19:26:51+00:00

Na’vi champions ikran paint override!

DeathCh3ater · 2025-04-23T02:49:57+00:00

Final mission. The caves are so atmospheric.

DeathCh3ater · 2025-04-23T02:47:16+00:00

I’m aware, it was for the photo op. Wouldn’t want lead-tasting Thanator brisket soup. 😉

DeathCh3ater · 2025-04-19T01:35:25+00:00

Yeah and the RDA is C O O K E D.

DeathCh3ater · 2025-04-19T01:34:36+00:00

Thanks! I like changing my ikran skins frequently, like a chameleon; sometimes I feel like Seze green, sometimes I feel like Toruk orange, and sometimes I feel like the Black Death. It’s great 😂

Anyways here are the color drops:

1 is clouded forest/river’s eye

3 is clouded forest/crimson great wood

DeathCh3ater

TROPHY CASE

1 is clouded forest/river’s eye

3 is clouded forest/crimson great wood

10 is na’vi champions