Active Duty vs Reserve – Difference and Comparison

What is Active Duty?

Providing duty to the country on active duty is a 24-hour job. Among the active-duty troops are those who have undergone military training and have chosen to serve full-time for the country’s defence. Application for military duty is open to anybody over 18 who possesses US citizenship, a high school diploma, and above 18. The military then selects a candidate based on factors such as height, weight, fitness, and a variety of other considerations, among other things,

A candidate can be sent to any location in the country after completing the training for an active-duty role. The soldier’s assignment is determined by the unit they serve and their objective. Furthermore, it will be a full-time job for him. In addition to a monthly salary, the soldier receives a variety of benefits such as medical and dental coverage, educational assistance, retirement plans, housing, and food allowance, and other perks, such as with a fully funded retirement plan, the soldier can leave the military after 20 years of duty.

Every year they serve, active-duty troops are granted 30 days of vacation. A period of time known as liberty for a while, which can last anywhere from 24 to 96 hours, is also included. sick time is granted when medical personnel approve it. In the case of sick leave, it is not deducted from the total amount of vacation time.

What is Reserve?

Unlike full-time employment, serving in reserve is similar to working part-time. The venue for the training has been assigned to the candidate, and it is close to their home. For them to finish their education while remaining close to home. They will be transferred to a different post if and when they are summoned to active military duty.

The fact that reserve duty is a part-time job means that the perks are also a part-time arrangement. Military retirement benefits, as well as medical and dental coverage, are provided to the soldier. Health insurance, academic help if the duty years total at least six, a Thrift Savings Plan, and other benefits are included.

Reserve duty troops can join active duty or return to their civilian jobs if they so choose. Those who choose to serve will be entitled to full functional duty benefits. The terms of vacation & freedom for reserve duty soldiers are also variable. The maximum time off they can take is 20 days a year. As well as that, the terms of the basis will determine the freedoms.

Difference Between Active Duty And Reserve

  1. It’s a 24-hour job when you’re on active duty. Part-time work is reserved for reserve duty
  2. Soldiers on active duty are assigned to areas where they can best serve the government. So the soldier will just be stationed close to home while on reserve duty.
  3. Full medical benefits are granted in Active Duty and Reserve Duty, respectively.
  4. Bonuses & training allowances are awarded to soldiers in the line of duty. Reserve duty soldiers receive incentives and training allowances based on their training duration and active duty.
  5. After 20 years of duty on active duty, a soldier can retire with full benefits, whereas they receive reduced benefits in reserve duty.
  6. Military personnel on active duty and those on reserve duty are subject to distinct rules regarding leave and freedom.

Comparison Between Active Duty And Reserve

Parameters of ComparisonActive DutyReserve
DefinitionA candidate for active duty in the military must serve the country full-time.Reserve duty is also duty towards the nation as just a militant, albeit more part-time than active duty. The soldier is only required to serve half-time during his military duty.
BenefitsThe soldier is entitled to all educational, healthcare, & retirement benefits available to them.Many perks are provided to troops, but not all of them are equal to those offered to active-duty soldiers.
CompensationBonuses and a training allowance are among the benefits of their compensation plan.The length of time they spend in training and on active duty determines the amount of money they are paid each month.
DeploymentThey can be deployed anywhere.They are stationed close to their residence and can only be called upon in an emergency.
LeaveThey are entitled to 30 days of paid leave every year.They are permitted to take a maximum of 20 days of yearly leave per year.

References

  1. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1207/s15327876mp1601_2
  2. https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/abs/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.113.005407