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Air Force Reserve

Build your future on your terms.

With over 200 available careers, part-time options and educational assistance, you get more ways to grow as you continue to serve—on duty and your own time.

annual tour air force reserve

Ready for More

Meet MSgt Janet Lindsay, who found her own meaning of success in the Reserve.

annual tour air force reserve

Ready for More: Career

Swipe up for more

Make the move

Find out which opportunities best fit your goals and ways to get there.

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GET UP TO A $15K BONUS

Explore air force reserve careers.

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Transferring from Air Force Active Duty?

The Air Force offers two separate programs for Active Duty Airmen transitioning to the Air Force Reserve. Contact your in-service recruiter for more details on requirements and how to get started.

Palace Chase

For active-duty Airmen who have served half of their enlistment, are interested in leaving, but do not have a separation date.

When you transfer into the Air Force Reserve through the Palace Chase program you will continue to grow valuable career skills and benefits.

Early Release

Airmen approaching the halfway point of their first enlistment, or Officers near two-thirds of their commitment can apply. If accepted, the term of enlistment with the Guard depends on the amount of time left on the initial active-duty contract.

Palace Front

For active-duty Airmen who have chosen to leave the Air Force and are within six months of completing their enlistment contract.

Part-Time / Full-Time

You can serve in the location of your choice either full-time or part-time, one weekend per month and two weeks per year.

When you transfer through the Palace Front program you can maintain your rank and current job or cross-train into another. You'll also continue enjoying the benefits of the Air Force without any break.

Questions? We have answers.

What reservist programs are available.

The following selected and individual Reserve programs are available:

Individual Mobilization Augmentees (IMA) Reservists serve as backfill support on contingencies and deployments throughout the Air Force, Department of Defense and other government agencies.

Active Guard Reserve (AGR)   Reservists serve full time on active-duty assignments and receive active-duty benefits for the duration of their contract. 

Air Reserve Technician (ART) Reservists serve in a dual-status position. They’ll work full time as a civilian employee one weekend a month and perform at least 14 days of annual training per year.

Traditional Reserve (TR) Reservists serve in traditional part time service. They’ll work one weekend a month and perform at least 14 days of annual training per year.

Learn more about Reservists programs.

What are the basic requirements to join?

To join the Air Force Reserve, you must be between the ages of 17 and have not reached your 42nd birthday, a current U.S. citizen, and have obtained either a high school diploma or GED. Applicants can’t have any serious law violations or drug use or serious health problems. 

Additionally, you must pass the Armed Services Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) and a physical. The ASVAB covers four critical areas: arithmetic reasoning, mathematics, word knowledge and paragraph comprehension. This is used to determine whether you’re a good fit for the Air Force Reserve and the best career field to place you in.

Can I work a full-time job with the Air Force Reserve?

How many years will i have to serve, how often does the air force reserve deploy.

Deployment depends on your AFSC (Air Force Specialty Code), your assigned unit and the needs of the Air Force at any given time. In general, there’s no set deployment schedule for Reservists. 

Most Reservist missions will be for logistics and support, but some specialties such as the Security Forces are more combat-oriented. While it’s not unusual to not deploy at all, all Reservists have to deploy when the circumstances require.

How much will I get paid?

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Whether you have specific questions about how to join the Air Force, are seeking more information or are ready to apply, we’re here to help.

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Reserve Drill Pay Calculator

Please visit our new Military Pay Charts page for up-to-date information on Reserve member pay.

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IMAGES

  1. VIDEO: Inside look at 67th APS annual tour > Air Force Reserve Command

    annual tour air force reserve

  2. Photos

    annual tour air force reserve

  3. Civil engineers survey their mettle, build esprit de corps during 2

    annual tour air force reserve

  4. Civil engineers survey their mettle, build esprit de corps during 2

    annual tour air force reserve

  5. Civic leader tour showcases Air Force Reserve mission > Air Force

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  6. Civic leader tour showcases Air Force Reserve mission > MacDill Air

    annual tour air force reserve

COMMENTS

  1. Headquarters RIO > Orders > Annual Tour

    All Annual tour requests must be submitted by 31 May each year. This is to ensure they are published by 30 June each year per DAFMAN 36-2136. If you are in a situation where it is after 1 June and you haven't put your AT orders request into myFSS yet, you'll need to complete this MFR and have it signed by your Active Duty CC or Unit Colonel (0-6), Det CC and approved by the HQ RIO/DO prior ...

  2. PDF By Order of The Department of The Air Force Secretary of The Air ...

    collaboration with the Chief of Air Force Reserve (AF/RE) and the Director of Air National Guard (NGB/CF), the Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower, Personnel, Services (AF/A1) develops policy for reserve personnel participation. This publication requires the collection and or maintenance of ... Chapter 5—ANNUAL TOUR/TRAINING 49 5.1. Annual ...

  3. Air Force Reserve

    Reservists serve full time on active-duty assignments and receive active-duty benefits for the duration of their contract. Air Reserve Technician (ART) Reservists serve in a dual-status position. They'll work full time as a civilian employee one weekend a month and perform at least 14 days of annual training per year. Traditional Reserve (TR)

  4. Individual Reserve Frequently Asked Questions

    20 satisfactory R/R years renders the member eligible for a Reserve retirement. The FY requirement is an AFRC requirement. All AT and IDTs must be completed during the FY (1 Oct-30 Sep). Only AT and IDTs can satisfy the FY requirement. MPA, RPA, School tours, ECI etc., can only be applied towards the member's R/R year, not the FY requirement.

  5. Headquarters RIO > Orders

    Additionally, all Annual tour requests must be submitted by 31 May each year. This is to ensure they are published by 30 June each year per DAFMAN 36-2136. ... Air Force Careers; Air Force Reserve; Air National Guard; Civilian Service; Connect Get Social with Us

  6. PDF By Order of The Air Force Instruction 36-2254, Secretary of The Air

    SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE AIR FORCE INSTRUCTION 36-2254, VOLUME I 26 MAY 2010 914 AIRLIFT WING Supplement 26 JULY 2011 Personnel RESERVE PERSONNEL PARTICIPATION COMPLIANCE WITH THIS PUBLICATION IS MANDATORY . ACCESSIBILITY: Publications and forms are available for downloading or ordering on the e-Publishing website at . www.e-Publishing.af.mil.

  7. Headquarters RIO > Orders > RPA

    RPA Orders. In addition to IDT and AT, there are three other types of special tours that fall under RPA: Active Duty for Training (ADT), Active Duty for Operational Support (ADOS), and School tours. RPA are orders funded by the Air Force Reserve. ADT is used to supplement AT and IDT when additional training is needed to achieve or maintain a ...

  8. PDF Air Force Reserve Orders Writing System (AROWS-R) Lab

    Requirements (cont.) 4 • Once orders are submitted, you can check the status within AROWS-R. • Update the "My Account" tab to receive email notifications when order requests are approved/disapproved. • IRs must be current in these areas before requesting orders (with exception of Annual Tour): • Physical Health Assessment (PHA) • Dental • Immunizations

  9. PDF By Order of The Commander Air Force Reserve Command Instruction 36 ...

    AIR FORCE RESERVE COMMAND AIR FORCE RESERVE COMMAND INSTRUCTION 36-2602 24 MARCH 2020 PERSONNEL AFRC RESERVE FINANCIAL ... The HQ AFRC/FM expectation is for reservists to follow a four-year Annual Tour (AT) training rotation cycle. This cycle will include: 1.1.2.1. Home Station. 1.1.2.2. HQ AFRC/FM Contingency Courses (4C-Basic or 4C-Advanced ...

  10. PDF Explore your Opportunities

    The Air Force Reserve offers a variety of part-time jobs with outstanding benefits. If you are a full-time student, you will have time to study while you serve in the ... Training (IDT) days per year and one Annual Tour of 12 days. The flexibility of this program allows you to coordinate your 24-day per year commitment with your Air Force ...

  11. PDF 04

    Annual Training (AT) is a minimum of 12 days used for individual and/unit readiness and training. IMAs earn one active duty point for each day in AT status. Inactive Duty Training (IDT) is a minimum 4 hour period of duty, training, or instruction. 4 hour period of training = 1 point (half day)

  12. PDF SOCPAC Air Force Reserve Supervisor Training

    The Air Force Reserve Order Writing System (AROWS-R) is an online tool that allows reservists to create their own orders (Annual Tour or MPA Tour). Once member create the order, it is routed to RIO/Det 6 for approval. Once approved, members can login and retrieve a copy of AF Form 938, Request and Authorization for

  13. Headquarters RIO > Orders > myPers Orders Request

    Those in the rank of E-9, O-6 or above, or who serve as EPLOs are exempt from needing the memo if requesting within the 30-day window. All AT order requests need to be submitted to myFSS no later than 31 May of that FY. If you do submit your request for AT after 31 May, you must include this AT late scheduling memo along with the request.

  14. How does scheduling your annual tour work? : r/Airforcereserves

    Btw I'm 2A as well. It just depends on flying/mx schedules and what the unit needs. Make sure you are tracking your R&R date (it may be different than the start of the fiscal year date) to make sure you're getting enough points when you schedule your AT! Depends upon your unit.

  15. PDF By Order of The Secretary Air Force Instruction 24-605 of The Air ...

    Attachment 3—ANNUAL TOUR INDIVIDUAL TEAM MEMBER CHECKLIST 37 ... Information Listing on the Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) Air Transportation Branch (AFRC/A4RF) annual tour website listed in Attachment 6 (applies to ANG units). (T-3). 1.2.1.8. Submit for AT and UTA fly-aways using the scheduling tool on the Air Reserve

  16. Glossary of Air Force Reserve Terms

    Annual Tour - Air Force reservists in the Selected Reserve who routinely receive pay for training must perform 15 days of active duty in AT status each fiscal year. Associate Unit Programs - - classic associate: A Regular Air Force unit retains principal responsibility for a weapon system or systems and shares the equipment with one or more ...

  17. Participation, Substitutions & Excusal Waivers

    Substitutions waivers must be submitted and approved in advance of tour start date, and are used in cases where members are on orders (MPA, RPA, school, etc.) and may not have schedule availability to complete their FY requirements. See the template for more information. Excusals are used for personal hardship or other extraordinary circumstances.

  18. PDF For Individual Reservists

    RESERVE PAY OFFICE (RPO) Documents for Reserve Pay entitlements should be forwarded to the HQ RIO RPO. DSN: 665-0102 . Comm: 1-800-525-0102 . Mailing Address: HQ RIO/IRO. Attn: Reserve Pay Office 18420 E. Silver Creek Ave. Bldg. 390, MS68 . Buckley AFB, CO 80011

  19. Reserve Drill Pay Calculator

    Reserve Drill Pay Calculator. Military.com. Published August 11, 2011. Please visit our new Military Pay Charts page for up-to-date information on Reserve member pay. Related Topics: Military Pay ...

  20. PDF By Order of The Commander Air Force Reserve Command Instruction 24 ...

    2.1.2.2. Respond with confirmation email to the Annual Tour POC and Numbered Air Force when approved. 2.1.2.3. Include Numbered Air Force A4s on Annual Tour statuses for situational awareness. Numbered Air Force A4s are not a part of the approval process but will be aware of scheduled annual tours and expected training completion. 2.1.2.4.

  21. PDF Instructions for completing Telecommute Worksheet

    Use of annual tour for telecommute is discouraged. Telecommute agreements are onlyapproved for the current fiscal year. New agreements need to be accomplished if work extends to a ... The Air Force Reserve strongly encourages use of base 1-800 numbers for remote network access and long distance phone calls. A2. I I .8. Reservists must comply ...

  22. Headquarters RIO > Orders > Per Diem

    AF Form 2282 is not accepted for missed meals while on Annual Tour. - Per Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA) Case No. 04042602 (2004), "the Comptroller General found that Congress did not intend Reservists on annual training to receive per diem when government lodging and mess are available." See 48 Comp. Gen. 517, 521-522 (1969).

  23. PDF By Order of The Secretary of The Air Force

    1.2.1. The Chief of Air Force Reserve will: 1.2.1.1. In collaboration with the Headquarters Air Force Deputy Chief of Staff, Manpower, Personnel, and Services (AF/A1), the Air National Guard (ANG) and the Space Force Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Human Capital (SF/S1), develop DAF TF