Transitioning to the Navy Reserve

U.S. Navy Sailors performing ship maintenance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my rate be affected?

Sailors whose rating is not available in the Selected Reserve are not required to affiliate with the SELRES and may transition directly to the IRR. If a Sailor in this category wishes to affiliate with the SELRES, he or she may request a rating conversion to an available rating. Command Career Counselors (CCC) ensure that Sailors are counseled at the earliest opportunity on future service options, and potential SELRES obligations, benefits and entitlements. Visit MyNavyHR for enlisted rating information and to review a list of current ratings within the SELRES.

What’s the pay?

Upon joining the Navy Reserve after completion of Active Duty service, a servicemember’s Navy Reserve pay is typically the same pay grade he or she previously held. If a Reserve Sailor transitions to Active Duty, he or she is paid four days of active pay for just two days of work. Learn more about Navy Reserve benefits and pay here.

Is there an age limit?

The age limit for Navy Reserve servicemembers is 42 years old, or able to complete 20 years of service by age 62. Find out more information about Navy Reserve requirements here.

Will I be subject to Involuntary Mobilization while in the SELRES?

As a Reservist, you can be mobilized voluntarily and involuntarily. Upon initially joining the Reserve, you are granted a two-year mobilization deferment from being mobilized involuntarily. If you choose to, you can volunteer for a mobilization within those first two years.

What about the TSR Pilot Program?

Certain rates and designators in the U.S. Cyber Command (USCYBERCOM) community entitles you to an additional transition assistance program not available to other service members. This benefit is funded by the National Security Agency (NSA) and contracts HireMilitary to provide the services. A two-year SELRES affiliation is required to access this benefit.

Tailored Strategic Retention (TSR) is a program to incentivize retention of qualified and experienced Cyber Mission Force (CMF) Total Force service members. TSR supports Active Component to Reserve Component (AC2RC) affiliations by offering members transition and employment services in industry in exchange for two-year Selected Reserve or National Guard obligations in their respective service branch.

Delivered by HireMilitary, TSR services include job placement, resume writing, salary negotiation, interview preparation and one-on-one coaching and professional networking with over 40 industry partners. TSR also provides academic counseling and degree opportunities with various universities. By using the HireMilitary services, veterans have seen an increased level of pay and job stability compared to other service members.

Qualified Designators: 1810, 1820, 1830 and 1880

Qualified Rates: Cyber Warfare Technician (CWT), Information Systems Technician (IT) and Intelligence Specialists (IS)

While only a two-year commitment is required, a three-year SELRES commitment will qualify you for a $20,000 enlistment bonus for FY-24.

For more detailed information about the services HireMilitary will provide, contact USCYBERCOM_TSR@navy.mil or 646-360-0695.

Start the process by contacting your CCC and request a CWAY billet for the Reserves. If for any reason you are not able to secure a CWAY billet, contact Navy Recruiting Reserve Command at either nrrc_rpac_enlisted@us.navy.mil or nrrc_rpac_officer@us.navy.mil.

Have additional questions?

For general questions, Sailors should contact their CCC or the Navy Call Center at 1-800-USA-NAVY. Enlisted Sailors can also email at nrrc_rpac_enlisted@us.navy.mil and Officers at nrrc_rpac_officer@us.navy.mil.

For specific rate/rating questions and concerns regarding SELRES service, Sailors should contact the respective Reserve community manager.

For questions related to reserve benefits and affiliation, Sailors should contact the Navy Recruiting Reserve Command (NRRC) Outreach Team at nrrc_rpac@navy.mil or the Navy Call Center at 1-800-USA-NAVY.

For SELRES transition assistance, Sailors should contact the PERS-9 RPAC at cto.enlisted@navy.mil.

Download additional information here.