View detailed information about the benefits offered to Enlisted members of the Navy Reserve.
Compensation
Sign-On or Affiliation Bonuses
To see if you are eligible for a potential sign-on or affiliation bonus, contact a Navy Reserve Recruiter for more details.
Reenlistment and Conversion Incentives
Bonuses are available for qualified Reservists who wish to convert to undermanned ratings. Contact a Navy Reserve Recruiter for more information.
Drill Pay
- As an Enlisted member of the Navy Reserve, you will:
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- Receive four days of base pay for every two days of weekend drilling
- Receive full pay and allowances for meals and housing during your two-week Annual Training
- Be compensated for any additional days you choose to serve
Pay and allowances for Navy Reservists are determined by the same pay scale used by Active Duty Navy personnel and are based on your individual pay grade and time in service.
View the most current pay chart for Enlisted members of the Navy Reserve:
Pay Raises
Reservists receive all general military increases in pay, such as cost-of-living increases and additional pay increases for years of accumulated service. These increases are paid out at the same percentage as those serving on Active Duty.
Promotions
As a Reservist, you will receive ample opportunities for promotion. Advancement in the Reserve is based on the same guidelines and principles as those of Active Duty. To advance in rate, typically, you must undergo additional training, attend schools and pass exams. Promotions are based on time-in-grade, advancement test results, your ability and the overall needs of the Navy and Navy Reserve.
Dependent Compensation
Reservists with dependents will be compensated at the same rate as Active Duty Navy personnel with dependents during their 12 to 14 days of Annual Training.
Active Duty Pay
Selected Reservists on Active Duty will receive the same rate of compensation as other Active Duty personnel of equivalent rank, time in service and qualifications.
Reemployment Rights
As a Navy Reservist, your civilian job security is assured. The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act guarantees your return to your civilian job after being ordered to Active Duty for training or during a national emergency.
Retirement
You will become eligible for retirement pay at age 60, following 20 years of qualifying service (Active Duty with Reserve or Reserve alone). Retirement benefit amounts vary, depending on individual pay grade and total Active Duty and Reserve time in service. If a Reservist dies before reaching age 60, an optional Survivor's Benefit Plan will provide an annuity to eligible beneficiaries.
Need more information? Please contact a Navy Reserve Recruiter.
Life/Health
Life Insurance
You can purchase up to $400,000 of full-time coverage under the current Servicemembers' Group Life (SGL) insurance plan.
Medical Care
As a Navy Reservist, you are eligible for TRICARE Reserve Select benefits. TRICARE Reserve Select brings together health resources of the armed services and supplements them with civilian resources to complete your health-care coverage.
You will also receive use of military facilities in the event of illness or injury during training periods.
Need more information? Please contact a Navy Reserve Recruiter.
Education
Montgomery GI Bill
If you're a Reservist who has been enlisted for six or more years and maintained satisfactory drill participation, the Montgomery GI Bill, Selected Reserve (MGIB, SR) will provide you with up to 36 months of educational assistance.
Rates are paid according to individual Reservist status (full-time, part-time, etc.) and educational program (college, vocational tech, apprenticeship, etc.).
Military veterans may qualify for an additional 12 months of Reserve GI Bill benefits in addition to the Active Duty GI Bill.
Post-9/11 Veterans Education Assistance Act of 2008
The Post-9/11 GI Bill is a new benefit that provides educational assistance to individuals who have served on Active Duty on or after September 11, 2001.
- In order to be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill, an individual must have a minimum of 90 days Active Duty after September 10, 2001, and:
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- Be honorably discharged from the Armed Forces; or
- Be released from the Armed Forces with service characterized as honorable and placed on the retired list or temporary disability retired list, or transferred to the Fleet Reserve or the Fleet Marine Corps Reserve; or
- Be released from the Armed Forces with service characterized as honorable for further service in a reserve component; or
- Be discharged or released from the Armed Forces for:
- EPTS (Existed Prior to Service)
- HDSP (Hardship) or
- CIWD (Condition Interfered with Duty); or
- Continue to be on Active Duty.
Individuals must serve an aggregate period of Active Duty at least 6 months after September 10, 2001, in order to receive 100 percent of the maximum payable benefit.
Tuition Assistance
Selected Reservists on Active Duty for 120 continuous days can be reimbursed up to 100 percent of tuition costs.
Credits for Experience
As a Reservist, you have the opportunity to take free College Level Examination Program tests (CLEP). Every test you pass, you earn three transferable college credits.
Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES)
Comprised of more than 1,200 colleges and universities nationwide, the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support program (DANTES) allows you to pursue college and university independent study courses. The DANTES program allows service members to transfer credits from school to school and receive college credits for military training and experience.
Need more information? Please contact a Navy Reserve Recruiter.
Income Enhancements
Home Loan Program
If you have six years of honorable service, you may qualify to take advantage of low interest rate VA home loans, allowing you to purchase a home with no money down.
Income Tax Deductions
The Internal Revenue Service allows you to deduct certain travel, uniform items and other expenses incurred as a direct result of performed drills or Annual Training from your income taxes.
Commissary/Exchange Privileges
- You and your family will enjoy access to the following official Navy facilities:
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- Commissaries (grocery stores)
- Exchanges (department stores)
- Gyms
- Military clubs at bases worldwide
- Tax-free shopping
Travel
In addition to your two-week Annual Training, you can opt to travel on specified government aircraft when not on duty, at no cost to you.
Need more information? Please contact a Navy Reserve Recruiter.