Im thinking about joining the Navy Reserve.
I went to to talk to a recruter a few weeks ago.They had answered alot of my questions but I still have more and im a little confused.Im 36 have a civilian job.I had asked the recruter what the pay would be.He told me going in as an E1 i would make $1399 per month for two days or 16 hours drilling plus working 2 weeks during the summer.I said to myself that is $700 a day!!!Was the recruter right or wrong.I looked at a 2009 drill pay chart for the reserve on this site and it say $187 as an E1.Can someone clarify this please.Also I understand that boot camp is 8 weeks and a school can be a few weeks or months depending on the job you choose.Can someone tell what the pay would be while im in bootcamp and aschool ?My civilian job is sales and half my money is salary and the other half is commision.I know a job cant fire you while you are on military leave.But if im not at work someone would just be maintaining my territory till i get back.Does anyone know how this would work with an employer as far as do they pay me while im at bootcamp.I know the Navy would be paying me but I cant $1399 a month to cover my bills no way !!!Any help would be greatly appeciated.I do have I wife and 5 year old son.And my salary is roughly 95% of our houshold income.Thanks.

Once you are done with bootcamp and A school you will receive $187 for the drill weekend.
In boot camp and during A school you will receive $1399.50 a month, but don't count on the full amount. During bootcamp your pay will be deducted for your haircut, uniforms, and any personal items you purchase.

Your employer will not pay you while you are in bootcamp. However, there are some employers that will pay the difference between your employers salary and the military salary for up to 15 days a year. Check with your employer to see if they offer that benefit.

My advice is if you can't live off of the military salary then you shouldn't join the Reserves. Think about it, what if you get mobilized as soon as you are done with A school and have to live off of the military salary for a year or more?

One other important thing to understand is that, while your civilian employer can't fire you, they don't have to pay you while your not there. Depending on your employer and how long you'll be gone, they may put you in a leave without pay status.