The Navy Reserve is committed to you as a military veteran. We know that it’s your experience, years of training, expertise, and dedication that truly drive our force. For this reason, we will always attempt to match you with the highest rating, rank, and pay grade you have achieved.  Exciting opportunities also exist to change and be trained in new ratings if you choose, sometimes receiving an advanced pay grade in the process.

REQUIREMENTS FOR ENTRY

DD-214
As a military veteran, the most important document you need to enlist in the Navy Reserve is form DD-214, which details your discharge from active duty or Reserve service. If you have yet to separate, make sure the information in your DD-214 is complete and correct.  To obtain a copy of your DD-214, simply submit a form SF-180 Request Pertaining to Military Records, which you can download now.

Age and Health
Certain age and health requirements do exist. For military veterans, these requirements are normally determined on a case-by-case basis.

ENTRANCE PROGRAMS
Military veterans can enlist in the Navy Reserve through one of the following programs:

NAVET (Navy Veteran)
Stay Navy. If you are a Navy or Navy Reserve veteran (Enlisted or Officer), this program will allow you to enlist or reenlist into the Navy Reserve. If you currently hold a commission in the Inactive Ready Reserve (IRR), you may affiliate with the Navy Reserve through the NAVET program as well.

If you were discharged from the Navy or Navy Reserve more than four years ago, your pay grade and rate/rank may be modified based on Navy Reserve needs in specific ratings and on the length of time since your discharge. Otherwise, you most likely will enter at your previously held pay grade and rate/rank.

OSVET (Other Service Veteran)
Many people from the Army, Air Force, Coast Guard or Marine Corps have found success in the Navy Reserve.  If you have prior active or inactive service in military branches other than the Navy, you may enlist in the Navy Reserve through the OSVET program.  If you are a veteran Officer who holds a commission from other branches of the military, you may apply for a Navy Reserve direct commission through the Interservice Transfer Program.

In most instances, you will be able to retain your previous rank/rate. Selected qualified veterans from other services, if enlisting within four years of discharge, can usually join the Navy Reserve in the same pay grade as when discharged. If you join within four to six years, you will enter one pay grade less than when discharged; within six to eight years, two pay grades less than when discharged. Go to our Rank Converter to see your equivalent rate/rank in the Navy Reserve.

RESCORE-R (Recruiting Selective Conversion Reenlistment - Reserve)
New training.  New opportunities.  If you are a recently separated/discharged Navy veteran or Individual Readiness Reserve (IRR) personnel who is in a closed rating or who would otherwise be ineligible for enlistment, this program can help you access new opportunities through a change of rating.

APG (Advanced Pay Grade)
High demand skills could mean a higher pay grade.  If you are employed in a civilian occupation that corresponds with an undermanned Navy Reserve rating, you can enter the Navy Reserve at an advanced pay grade (higher pay rate than normally assigned to a specific job). To enter through this program, you must have a qualifying ASVAB score and be physically qualified. A three-year enlistment is also required.

To qualify, you must be currently employed or have been employed within the past 12 months in civilian fields comparable to the ratings for which you are applying. You should also not have prior service, active or inactive, within two previous years in ratings convertible to the ratings for which you are applying. You must also show sufficient documentation of professional and supervisory experience on a resumé, along with employer and personal recommendations.

After enlisting, you will be assigned the permanent pay grade of an E-3. Go to
Pay Charts to learn more about pay.

Direct Appointment  (Officer)
Pride. Professionalism. Prestige. You may receive a direct appointment as a commissioned Navy Officer if you are a college-educated professional in one of the specialty areas sought by the Navy Reserve.

Direct commissions are available to U.S. citizens with professional expertise in the following fields: Medical, Dental, Nursing, Engineering, Civil Engineering, Public Affairs, Clergy, Cryptology, Intelligence, Oceanography, Merchant Marine and Business Management.