What is Army Reserve Training?

The United States Army Reserve is a branch of the U.S. Army that is not on full-time active duty. Instead, its servicemen are reserve soldiers who can be called to duty in the event of a war or when the military is in need of support. Essentially, soldiers in the Army Reserve are backup forces who must be ready to move to active duty when the United States is in need. Army Reserve training includes the basic training that all Army soldiers go through in preparation for service as well as the ongoing training in which Army Reserve soldiers must participate.

Basic training for those entering the Army Reserve typically consists of nine weeks of vigorous training. The training consists of different phases that are named after colors. For example, the Red Phase follows the reception week and marks the beginning of active training while the White Phase includes marksmanship training. This nine-week period is focused on teaching Reserve recruits about Army values and helping them develop military and teamwork skills. Basic training culminates in a graduation ceremony that family members and other loved ones are allowed to attend.

After basic training ends, Army Reserve preparation typically continues with advanced individual training. This part of Army Reserve training is intended to help soldiers gain the skills they need to perform the tasks they are given in the Army. There are various advanced individual training schools at which a Reserve soldier may receive hands-on training in a particular military job. For example, a Reserve soldier may learn to be an Army human resource specialist or learn how to maintain Army helicopters; he could even learn how to defend the United States against warfare that is chemical or nuclear in nature. This type of training is also supposed to help a Reserve soldier to become more disciplined and gain a work ethic.

Once a soldier has completed his initial Army Reserve training, he is typically allowed to return to his own community. He’ll usually continue his normal routine, but report for Army Reserve training once each month. These monthly training sessions usually consist of drills that help Reserve soldiers hone their military skills and keep them fresh. Then, a Reserve serviceman usually has to spend about two weeks out of every year serving on active duty. During this time, a Reserve soldier typically receives rigorous field training as well as some specialty training.