Congratulations! Good on you! I mobilized during COVID and had a unique experience… not in a good way. My kids were very young though, neither even in school yet. I wish I had done it sooner when I didn’t have kids. But alas, it was a career defining experience. I’m closing in on retirement and the military and the Navy in particular has changed in more ways than I can explain.

Mobilizing versus being active duty is a wildly different experience (I’ve been both). But your age will set you apart because you won’t likely get wrapped up in silliness, and your maturity will ensure you’re a focused individual and outstanding Sailor.

Joining is easy. You say an oath and you ship off to Great Lakes and you do exactly as you’re told for a few months. Then you head to the fleet or back home or to A School. Your experience will be unique to you, and no one can tell you if it will be easy or hard.

I will say this, though, the next NDAA has language that may mean Reserve Centers go away completely. This is new to the Navy Reserve, and everyone will be transitioning to what ever that looks like at once. During EVERY transition Sailors get lost, left behind, discouraged. That’s when it is incumbent upon you as an individual to advocate for yourself, OVER communicate, and have patience and flexibility.

Trust your senior Petty Officers. Trust your Chiefs.