Navy Reserve Benefits
Navy Reserve Sailors enjoy the flexibility of a role in the Reserve, serving in a way that suits their lifestyle, and allows them to grow professionally. Despite being a part-time commitment, the Navy offers Reserve Sailors an abundance of benefits that rival many full-time positions in the civilian world.
How Much Can You Make In The Navy Reserve?
Navy Reserve pay is known as “drill pay,” which is based on a prorated amount of pay and allowances received while serving on Active Duty. It is typically equal to 1/30th of the basic pay prescribed for a Sailor’s grade and years of service. Grades (E-1 to E-9 for Enlisted and O-1 to O-10 for Officer) indicate how status equates across the uniformed services.
Upon joining the Navy Reserves after completing Active Duty, a service member’s Navy Reserve pay is typically in the same pay grade he or she previously held. If Reserve Sailors transition to Active Duty, they are paid four days of active pay for just two days of work.
To find out how much you will make, visit https://militarypay.defense.gov/Pay/Basic-Pay/Reserve-Drill-Pay/.
Financial Benefits
With compensation for drill weekends and base pay for Annual Training (AT) two weeks per year, Navy Reserve Sailors earn as they serve. A Navy Reserve bonus and other financial incentives are also given for critical rates and Navy Enlisted Classifications (NECs).
In addition to income, Navy Reserve Sailors can plan for retirement through participation in the tax-deferred Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). They can also ensure their family’s well-being through Service Member’s Life Insurance (SLGI) policy of $500,000 for just $29/month, $100,000 for spouses and $10,000 for each child.
Health Insurance Benefits
The high cost of healthcare is a burden for families across the country. According to the Kaiser family foundation, paying into an employer provided healthcare plan cost families $22,000 per year on average. Through Tricare Reserve Select, the Navy offers premium based coverage available worldwide with the ability to see military, network and out of network providers, for less than $3,000 annually. The Navy also offers access to the Federal Long Term care insurance program. See comparative costs below:
Healthcare estimated monthly costs
Navy Tricare Reserve select costs:
Individual: $48.97
Family: $239.69
Civilian affordable care act plans:
Individual: $212.00
Family: $1,000.00
Education Benefits
With the cost of higher education rising each year, many Reserve Sailors are interested in the abundant education benefits the Navy Reserve offers. Through Tuition Assistance, Defense Activity for Non Traditional Education Support (DANTES) and the Post 9/11 or Montgomery G.I. Bill, Navy Reserve Sailors have the opportunity to further their education while serving their country.
Sailors who agree to serve 6 years as a Reserve Sailor are guaranteed a free education benefit through MGIB-SR. Reserve Sailors are also eligible to transfer their Post 9/11 G.I. Bill their dependents while serving in the Reserve, this will incur a 4-year drilling obligation. More information can be found at https://www.va.gov/education/transfer-post-9-11-gi-bill-benefits/.
Further education opportunities are also available through the US Naval War College and Senior Enlisted Academy.
The Navy Credentialing Opportunities Online (COOL) Program also allows service members to find information on desirable certifications and licenses related to both military occupations and civilian careers. These programs also provide funding for exams and maintenance fees, so you can pursue your passion without worrying about costs.
For more detailed information on VA education benefits, visit their website at https://www.va.gov/education/about-gi-bill-benefits/.
Reserve Retirement
Most service members leaving AD have already earned a substantial number of points towards Reserve retirement. The RPAC will help you transition to the SELRES the day after you separate from AD so you do not miss any opportunities to begin earning retirement points immediately. More points = more $$. Doctors who have completed 20 years of creditable service for retirement purposes and participated in the Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP) in a critical wartime shortage specialty, can earn 1 year of additional creditable retirement for each year of satisfactory service in the SELRES, up to a maximum of 4 years. DoDI 1215.07 (commencing on or after 23SEP96).
HPSP retirement example*: A CDR, who serves in a DoD Critical Wartime Specialty, participated in the HPSP program for 4 years and separates with 12 years of AD service. For each year the officer completes a satisfactory year towards Reserve retirement, the officer can convert 1 year of time served in HPSP to a qualifying year towards Reserve retirement. That CDR would need to serve in the SELRES for 8 years to reach retirement eligibility and if retires at that time, would be credited with 24 years (to include HPSP time). The first 2 years run concurrent with the 2-year involuntary mobilization deferment.
Note: in some cases it is possible to reduce your retirement age from 60 down to as little as 50 by taking on AD orders while in the Navy Reserve. DoDI 1215.07.
For in-depth authoritative information about Reserve retirement, refer to BUPERSINST 1001.39F, chapter 20.
• Estimate your retirement pay
• U.S. Army Human Resources site retirement calculator (unofficial calculator)
Additional Benefits
BASE PRIVILEGES
Navy Reserve service members are entitled to the same base privileges as enjoyed while on AD, which includes unlimited Commissary and Exchange visits and unlimited use of Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) programs and facilities.
USERRA
The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA) is a federal law that establishes rights and responsibilities for uniformed service members and their civilian employers. It is intended to ensure that persons who serve or have served in the military: (1) are not disadvantaged in their civilian careers because of their service; (2) are promptly reemployed in their civilian jobs upon their return from duty; and (3) are not discriminated against in employment based on past, present, or future military service. The law is intended to encourage uniformed service so that the United States can enjoy the protection of those services, staffed by qualified people, while maintaining a balance with the needs of private and public employers who also depend on these same individuals.
- USERRA
- U.S. Department of Labor USERRA Policy
Psychological Health Outreach Program (PHOP)
Provides Navy Reservists and their families’ full access to appropriate psychological health care services and support in other areas of transition from AC to RC (including the IRR). PHOP can assist in finding a wide range of local resources for you as you embark on the next phase of your life and find similar services that you would encounter from Fleet and Family Service Centers in your new role. Contact your local PHOP region for assistance at 1-866-578-PHOP (7467).
Personal Financial Counselors (PFC)
A DoD program for members of the Guard and Reserve. https://private.navyreserve.navy.mil/cnrfc/commandfunctions/financial_literacy/Pages/default.aspx (requires a CAC)
For additional information on Navy Reserve benefits, please visit the additional benefits information page.
Disclaimer: This page represents a summary of the benefits available to Navy Reservists. The RPAC does not assume any responsibility for any errors in misrepresentation of these benefits nor does the RPAC claim responsibility over the policy governing these benefits. Please refer to the source of these benefits for authoritative information.