Service in the Navy Reserve typically includes recurring drill periods and scheduled training requirements.
In addition to required service commitments, Navy Reserve participation includes access to certain benefits tied to reserve status.
These benefits may support professional, educational, and personal needs, subject to eligibility rules and service conditions.
What People Get Wrong About Navy Reserve Benefits
Navy Reserve benefits are not identical to those received by active duty service members.
Eligibility for many benefits depends on duty status, length of service, and completion of required obligations.
Not all reservists automatically qualify for commissary or exchange privileges at all times.
Some benefits require accumulation of service points, qualifying service periods, or activation orders.
Civilian job protections apply only when specific legal requirements are met and properly documented.
Pay, bonuses, and special pays are not guaranteed and depend on rank, assignment, and funding availability.
Education benefits vary by program and often require additional service commitments or qualifying active duty time.
Mobilization deferment options are limited and are not available to all reservists.
Family members’ access to benefits depends on the reservist’s current status and eligibility at the time of use.
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1. Commissary and Exchange
One privilege when on active reserve is the ability to take advantage of lower costs at a commissary or exchange.
This benefit provides lower costs on everything from groceries to clothing.
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Commissary
A commissary is a supermarket that sells products at cost plus a 5% surcharge.
Shopping at a commissary allows for significantly lower prices on goods such as food, cleaning, and laundry products.
Eligibility for commissary access for reservists is based on retirement point accumulation and qualifying service status.
There are several ways to receive retirement points including:
- 1 point for each day of active service
- 1 point for drill period attendance
- 1 point for each day of performing funeral honors duty
- 15 points for completing each reserve component membership year
Reservists who meet eligibility requirements may be granted limited commissary access, subject to current policy and authorization.
This benefit can be used by military spouses or authorized dependents when the reservist is not there.
If you happen to be called into active duty, the shopping privileges are updated to be able to go to the commissary daily.
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Exchange
Navy Exchanges are military department and drug stores.
Exchange access eligibility differs from commissary access and is based on military identification and status.
Both you, your dependents, and spouse can go to the exchange any time you would like as long as you have a military ID.
2. Civilian Job Rights and Protections
One of the perks of joining the Navy Reserves is that you can keep your civilian job and still serve your country.
But what happens to your job if you receive active duty orders? Are you protected?
While your exact position and job duties may not be held, you can rest assured knowing that your job is protected through the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, (USERRA).
This reemployment right will protect you while you are performing uniformed service.
There are just three key areas that you must meet to qualify:
- Advanced notice must be given to your employer
- the length of absence cannot be more than 5 years
- the character of the person in service was not adverse.
Other rules apply such as returning to work within certain time-frames.
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3. Navy Reserve Pay
Note: See our full article on Navy Reserve Pay here.
Being in the Navy Reserve provides an additional income for those who may be working full time or attending school.
Navy Reserve pay is based on rank, time in service and qualifications.
The Navy pays reservists the same as active duty personnel who meet the same above specifications.
Traditional drill periods are compensated using a pay structure that equates multiple drill periods to active duty pay days.
When completing the required two weeks of annual training, reservists will receive full active duty pay.
Any additional days that you serve are paid on the same guidelines.
The base pay for reservists is just a prorated portion of active duty pay.
The base table below provides an outlook on Navy Reserve pay based on rank.
| Pay Grade | Less than 2 Years | Over 2 Years | Over 3 Years | Over 4 Years | Over 6 Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E-1 (less than 4 months) | $296.74 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| E-1 | $320.95 | $320.95 | $320.95 | $320.95 | $320.95 |
| E-2 | $359.73 | $359.73 | $359.73 | $359.73 | $359.73 |
| E-3 | $378.25 | $401.99 | $426.41 | $426.41 | $426.41 |
| E-4 | $418.98 | $440.40 | $464.32 | $487.82 | $508.70 |
| E-5 | $445.72 | $479.76 | $503.43 | $526.22 | $547.98 |
| E-6 | $453.48 | $499.07 | $521.08 | $542.50 | $564.76 |
| E-7 | $524.27 | $572.19 | $594.15 | $623.09 | $645.84 |
In addition to base pay, Navy Reservists have opportunities for bonuses and special pay.
Bonuses can vary based on individual cases, but are generally offered as sign-on bonuses or affiliation bonuses.
Potential special pay opportunities are available for certain skills, special duty assignments, or serving in high-demand career areas.
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4. Deployment/Mobilization Deferment
For those with prior Navy service, including Navy Reserve service, there is an opportunity to have a deployment/mobilization deferment.
This opportunity is available to encourage individuals with prior military service to join the Reserves without the fear of having back-to-back deployments.
It also allows soldiers to find a new civilian job and housing in the community without having to worry about leaving the new job or location right away.
Individuals are considered NAVETs if they had their most recent active duty tour or training in the Navy or Navy Reserve, have been released or discharged for over 24 hours, and completed 12 consecutive weeks or active duty or training.
Eligible NAVETs may qualify for a mobilization deferment period based on timing of release and current policy.
Those who are within 7-12 months of release from their active duty tour can receive one year of deferment.
This benefit is great for those who are considering joining the Reserves after serving in an active duty role.
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5. Education
The Navy has significant resources when it comes to assisting with education.
Being in the Reserves offers the time that is needed to focus on studies, in addition to opportunities that could allow you to attend college for free.
The education programs below have different requirements and provide education assistance in areas such as tuition, civilian job search, certification opportunities and more.
Montgomery GI Bill- Selected Reserve- This educational program provides up to 36 months of education benefits based on the type of training and full-time or half-time status. Reservists are eligible after completing Active Duty for Training, having a high school diploma, being in good standing and signing up for a minimum six-year obligation. Find more information here.
Post 9/11 GI Bill- The Post 9/11 GI Bill is open to reserve members who have at least 90 days of active duty service. This helps with education tuition and remaining benefits may even transfer to dependents. Details can be found here.
Navy COOL- This resource provides information on specific ratings in the Navy, related civilian careers, credentialing opportunities, and more information. You can find the NAVY COOL website here.
DANTES Examination Programs- The examination programs allow you to earn college credit by taking exams. The College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) allows you to take any 33 entry-level college subject exams and earn college credits for the ones you pass. DSST exams allow you to take one of 38 subject areas in certain disciplines to earn college credit. All exams are funded by DANTES. Learn more here.
Troops to Teachers- This program helps veterans who would like to transition into teaching. It provides guidance on training, tuition, and job search. Troops to Teachers website can be found here.
Classroom Opportunities- The Navy has multiple channels that provide officer or general education through the Navy War College, Senior Enlisted Academy, Navy College Program, and Navy ELearning. Costs and assistance opportunities vary based on location and program.
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Reserve Benefits
Each reserve component, whether they are Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, or Air Force offer basic benefits that are universal.
They include:
- Insurance through TriCare
- Drill Pay
- Direct Deposit
- Job Protection
- Life Insurance
- Education Services
While the benefits are universal between all reserve members, some specific details may vary.
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Conclusion
Joining the Navy Reserves, with or without prior service, allows individuals to have the freedom of a civilian life, while completing drills close to home.
This is one of the largest benefits of the Reserves program, but joining the Navy Reserves also provides other benefits that can have an impact on your decision to join, or even provide assistance if you have joined and were not aware that it was available.
Navy Reserve members have access to the commissary and exchange to find lower cost goods.
When you join the Reserves, your civilian job is protected when you deploy or enter into active duty.
Your pay is based on the same specifications as active duty personnel and is prorated to include your part-time days.
Other benefits allow individuals to defer mobilization when they have recently returned from duty or provide education assistance through different programs and schools.
With all of the above benefits considered, joining the Navy Reserves makes for a great opportunity to improve yourself and your future.
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Resources
- Navy OAR Test Study Guide & Practice For 2026 - June 24, 2024
- Best US Navy Commercials: Top Videos & History For 2026 - June 20, 2024
- US Navy Requirements For Enlistment Guide For 2026 - June 20, 2024
