Back in the Army

I joined the Reserves last weekend. For those lucky enough to not have to understand the workings of the military, I owe 8 years of my life to the Army. Four of those years must be on active duty (done! 4 1/2 years!) and the rest either in the IRR (no physical obligation, but your name is on a list for callup) or the Reserves (one weekend a month deal.) After getting off of active duty, I chose the IRR and began to enjoy a life forgetting about everything camoflauge.

Then, people in the IRR started getting called up. And I started wanting to earn some money. So, I talked to the Reserves and got a contract that guaranteed I can't be sent to Iraq AND they cut that 8 years of obligation to 7, ensuring that I can resign next May if I so choose. Pretty sweet deal.

So, I joined this unit in Massachusetts that seems ok. They train other units that are deploying. Many of the personnel are full time there, so it's weird being part of that "other group" that only comes in once a month to hang out for a couple of days, pretty much contributing nothing to the mission. I spent last weekend getting paperwork signed, making copies of all of my records that (surprise!) don't transfer between the active duty side of the house and the Reserves, and doing a little bit of PT (from which I am actually sore!) Most importantly, I made enough money to pay for my first semester books this fall, and that's a good thing.

So, is it ideal? No. Ideal would be not being in the Army. But, for now, it's what fits my needs.