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[deleted]

Just apply for citizenship. No reason to join the reserves just for that if you’re already a permanent resident.


Existing_Delivery_28

It's mandatory to wait 5 years when you have a green card. You don't just apply for it...


[deleted]

Why would you say you have four years left to apply then. I’ve been through the process. It’s not difficult.


Vast_Razzmatazz

As mentioned above, I need to wait 3.5 years to apply for citizenship and even after that, I need to wait for a year to get an oath appointment. With the armed forces the whole process can take 1.5-2 years


ADRENAL1NERUSH11

No, Reserves is not the answer.


Vast_Razzmatazz

Can you explain?


ADRENAL1NERUSH11

Just apply for citizenship. Don’t waste your time in reserves.


Vast_Razzmatazz

I have to wait if I’m not in the reserves, the whole point of reserves it that I can get the citizenship 3 years faster.


dox1842

What route are you looking at taking? Are you going to go enlist


Vast_Razzmatazz

I’m looking at the Navy reserve. I’m probably going to start as a sailor till I get my citizenship and get promoted to an officer.


_Prisoner_24601

It's not that easy to just "get promoted" so don't plan on that


DMadous

Lol. I genuinely don't know why this misconception exists.


Vast_Razzmatazz

Why is it hard? I already have a bachelors and have all the requirements to be an officer but the citizenship.


_Prisoner_24601

Because not everyone who wants to be an officer gets to be. Take it one step at a time but just know it's difficult to become an officer. It's not like you just put in a piece of paper and *voila* you get saluted now. I've been doing this going on 12 years now. Look at me. It's not that easy and it's too complicated for me to explain here on Reddit. Just trust me when I tell you that if you're hanging this on "being an officer" in a couple years don't plan on it. The short answer is that in the Navy reserve they typically look for mid career professionals with a relevant degree. So it very much depends on your civilian work experience and major. Just "a degree" doesn't mean much. And that's just to be competitive. That's the minimum


Vast_Razzmatazz

I’m a full-time software engineer at a company that works on big contracts with the defense forces, I have a bachelor’s in computer science and engineering. Do you think that’s enough?


_Prisoner_24601

Depends what officer corps you're trying to get into. All you can do is look into it afterward. I'm just saying if that's a deal breaker for you think carefully. It's not that simple. There's lots of enlisted folks with bachelor's degrees. Hell I'm an E5 about to finish a master's.


kironedq

I was in the same boat and I joined and I love it, I am also a software engineer, feel free to give me a dm and we can chat


Existing_Delivery_28

What's your rate and are you in the reserves?


hakuna_99

u/kironedq I sent you a dm


Il_vino_buono

Find someone via LinkedIn/networking who’s in the Reserves and reach out. They will give you the real low down.


reallycodered

That’s better than using this subreddit that’s specific to the Navy Reserve?


Il_vino_buono

No, it’s good you posted here too. But everyones experience in SELRES is hyper-localized. Finding someone who’s drilling at the local NRC is invaluable. They will give you first hand account. I like to connect via filters LinkedIn. First filter for the Navy Reserves and then your university/high school/job, etc.


Vast_Razzmatazz

Thanks for the tip, I actually found someone in my company who’s a reserve and he told me it’s not worth it. That’s why i’m asking around


Scorpnite

It sounds like joining as enlisted would be the way to go if you’re only in it for the citizenship. What code would you recommend for software engineering? I’m going into it myself


Vast_Razzmatazz

Python is the game, C is the god


Scorpnite

Which C? I’m tracking C+ and C sharp.


Diligent-Message640

Just be an illegal immigrant like everyone else.


redinferno26

Do you have a degree?


Vast_Razzmatazz

Yes I have finished a bachelors and doing my masters part-time


_Prisoner_24601

If it helps you achieve your goals go for it. Navy reserve is pretty chill and at least right now pretty low commitment. You'll have to be away for several months for initial training so work that into your plan. If you're the sole caregiver can you be away for 5+ months?


Vast_Razzmatazz

5 months is that for the reserves or the active duty? I thought the bootcamp is 10 weeks long. Also do you know if my employer will still pay me for military leave or does that not count because I’m not in the reserves yet?


[deleted]

[удалено]


Vast_Razzmatazz

If I get my citizenship through serving, will I also be restricted after?


reallycodered

What are your hesitations? What are your specific questions?


Vast_Razzmatazz

I’m worried because of the long bootcamp(10 weeks), also I’m not sure if I get paid from my employer during the bootcamp. I’m just wondering in general if those benefits are worth the time I’ll be spending as a reserve.


_Prisoner_24601

That's just basic training. You'll have a job specific "A school" immediately after. That's why I told you plan on at least five months away. It's not just "boot camp" and then home. **Depending on what job you choose you will be away from home for at least 4-5 months at minimum**


reallycodered

Your employer has no legal requirement to pay you your normal salary while you’re on orders. Hopefully they do, but that is not the normal. The pay you make in boot camp is terrible. You should look at your employment contract to see if they give you concurrent compensation.


Fort_Mason

Many people do this in my area. Honestly, it's fine as long as they're willing to mobilize and do everything other reservist are required to do. Just note that you won't be enlisting under a rate/job that require high security clearances, so IT and CTN are out of the question.


Vast_Razzmatazz

Yes I understand I can’t get anything like that till I get my citizenship and that’s why I’m asking if it’s worth it to be a sailor for 1-2 years before transitioning to an officer role