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.
Ready for More
Meet MSgt Janet Lindsay, who found her own meaning of success in the 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.
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.
Explore Air Force Active Duty careers
- Science & Technology
- Aviation & Flight
- Logistics & Administration
- Special Warfare & Combat Support
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?
Stories of service and persistence
More ways to grow
Serve your career and country
Find us on social media.
We’re ready for you
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.
- Find a Recruiter
- 1-800-423-USAF
HEIGHT AND WEIGHT STANDARDS
- Cover Letters
- Jobs I've Applied To
- Saved Searches
- Subscriptions
- Marine Corps
- Coast Guard
- Space Force
- Military Podcasts
- Benefits Home
- Military Pay and Money
- Veteran Health Care
- VA eBenefits
- Veteran Job Search
- Military Skills Translator
- Upload Your Resume
- Veteran Employment Project
- Vet Friendly Employers
- Career Advice
- Military Life Home
- Military Trivia Game
- Veterans Day
- Spouse & Family
- Military History
- Discounts Home
- Featured Discounts
- Veterans Day Restaurant Discounts
- Electronics
- Join the Military Home
- Contact a Recruiter
- Military Fitness
Reserve Drill Pay Calculator
Please visit our new Military Pay Charts page for up-to-date information on Reserve member pay.
You May Also Like
The purpose of Dislocation Allowance is to partially reimburse a servicemember for expenses related to a PCS move.
A proposed 5.5% pay raise next year for junior enlisted troops has won the backing of a key Senate panel in charge of...
People have to live and do things in a way that aligns with their priorities.
The bonuses are aimed at retaining skilled Guardians in some of the service's most crucial job fields.
Military Pay Topics
- Military Pay
- Military Pay Calculator
- 2024 Military Pay Charts
- 2024 Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH)
- Military Basic Pay
- Military Bonuses
- Reserve & Guard Pay
- Military Retirement Pay
- Special Pay
- Military Veteran Pay
Select Service
- National Guard
- Benefits Directory
- Active Duty
- Benefits for Retirees
- Veteran Benefits
- Military Spouse & Family
- Reserve & Guard
- Military Benefits Open Enrollment
Get the Military Insider Newsletter
Get the latest on pay updates, benefit changes and award-winning military content. Right in your inbox.
View more newsletters on our Subscriptions page.
Verify your free subscription by following the instructions in the email sent to:
Military Pay News & Advice
- Why Military Homeowners May Be at Greater Risk of Title Fraud
- 4 Crucial Steps to Evaluating Risk in Your Post-Military Career
- Surprise Bills: Military Families, Advocates Fight Unexpected Base Housing Move-Out Fees
- How Owners In Honor Is Turning Veterans into Business Owners Within a Year
- USAA to Pay $64.2 Million to Service Members in Settlement over Improper Bank Fees, Interest
Top Benefits Articles
A 4.6% pay raise has been proposed for 2023, but will it keep up with inflation?
The current VA disability pay rates show compensation for veterans with a disability rating 10% or higher. Read more.
The military retirement system is arguably the best one around, but proper planning is needed to ensure you can retire...
Disability compensation is paid to veterans disabled by an injury or illness that was incurred or aggravated during active...
Most Popular VA Loan Articles
- Veterans Buying Homes with VA Loans May Have to Pay Their Own Real Estate Agents
- Veterans at Risk of Losing Homes Could Get More Time as VA Urges Extended Pause on Foreclosures
- VA Introduces New 'Last Resort' Loan Program to Help Roughly 40,000 Veterans Keep Their Homes
- VA Pauses Foreclosures on Veterans Facing Difficulties Making Mortgage Payments
- PCSing in a Roller-Coaster Housing Market: Should You Rent or Buy?
IMAGES
COMMENTS
Annual Tour. ** All IRs use myFSS to request orders - Get more info HERE **. 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.
The fastest way for IMAs receive their pay for completing annual tour is by completing an electronic Tour of Duty Certification (TOD-C) in AROWS-R. Instructions on how to complete a TOD-C: http://www.arpc.afrc.af.mil/Portals/4/Documents/RIO/RIO-IRO-AROWS-R-Cert-Tour-of-Duty.pdf.
This publication implements Air Force Policy Directive (AFPD) 36-21, Utilization and Classification of Air Force Military Personnel, and is consistent with Department of the Air Force Policy Directive (DAFPD) 36-32, Military Retirements and Separations. It provides guidance and
Manual 36-2254V1, Reserve Personnel Participation, 26 May 2010. It provides guidance and procedures on complying with Reschedule, Excusal and Un-Excusal participation. It im. lements the use of 914 Airlift Wing Form 1, AF.
Tracking and Printing Orders. As of 28 June 2021, all detachments use the myFSS orders system to request orders. For information on how to track, and print orders in AROWS-R, use the HQ RIO IR Orders Guide. Helpful Links.
All Annual tour requests must be submitted by 1 Jun each year. This is to ensure they are published by 30 June each year per AFMAN 36-2136. AFRC/CC policy letter dated 01 March 2018, reservists are required to publish all AF Form 938 and DD Form 1610 orders in AROWS-R.
The Orders Writing Cell (OWC) is responsible for processing of AROWS-R orders request for Individual Reservist (IR’s) on various MPA/RPA tour types.
The use of a Government Travel Charge Card (GTCC) is mandatory for all Air Force personnel when. conducting official travel, per a SAF/FM memo dated Nov. 8, 2017. Special authorizations must be fully justified on AT Special Tour Request. Annual Tour Special Request Forms can be found on the RIO website.
Make the move. Find out which opportunities best fit your goals and ways to get there. 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.
These military pay tables apply to active members of the Navy, Marine Corps, Army, Air Force, Coast Guard and Space Force.