Hello, I am interested in becoming a Strategic Sealift Officer for the Navy Reserves as well as the Student Incentive Program that is available in through the state maritime academies.
Does anyone know if I am able to do active duty work for extended periods of time? I heard of 3 years at a time?
Also, does anyone know if the Student Incentive Program’s financial assistance has been increased to $64k from $32k?
Very Respectfully,
D
I know someone that was an active duty SSO for like 9 years.
There are always opportunities for extended periods of active duty. It may be through the SSO program or outside of it. I have seen opportunities from a few weeks to a few years and there are ways to hop between multiple opportunities with minimal to no break in active duty time.
There are at ton of variables and order types that all have their different rules. If you take the time to learn “the system” you can definitely navigate it to your advantage in terms of getting all the active duty time you want while still officially being a “reservist”.
Old thread, but for any lurkers out there with a similar question, I’m gonna echo and amplify what @BrownWaterGuy says. If you’re interested in the Navy as a primary career, going Reserve is the “cheat code” to a great time. There are always opportunities available for someone who wants them, and you get active duty time for however long you’re mobilized for.
I relieved an individual at a high-tempo and very interesting job overseas several years ago after I was involuntarily mobilized. She was about ready to retire after twenty years of active duty - all of which spent as a reservist, taking back-to-back mobilizations, and only ever to places she chose to go. The Navy gets experienced and competent help in billets the active side can’t fill, the reservist gets their active duty retirement points and complete freedom to choose their jobs, it’s a win-win. The Blended Retirement System means that you don’t need to do a full twenty to get retirement benefits any more, either. So, if after a few years you decide it’s not for you after all, you still walk away with compensation for time spent.