Military Options
Decide which option is best for you.
Active Duty vs. Reserve Components
Active Duty
• Full-time military service-the military is your full-time job.
• Living Situation: Often live on or near a base.
• Benefits: Full-time pay, housing allowance, health care, education benefits.
• Commitment: Usually, 4+year contracts.
• Daily Life: Structured schedule; deployments possible.
Reserves (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard)
• Part-time service-one weekend per month + two weeks per year.
• Living Situation: You live at home and serve locally.
• Benefits: Part-time pay, some tuition assistance, training opportunities.
• Commitment: Usually 6-year contracts.
• Daily Life: Attend school or work while serving.
National Guard (Army & Air)
• Part-time service, like Reserves, but controlled by both state and federal government.
• Missions: Disaster response within Nevada + federal missions.
• Local Presence: Nevada Army National Guard and Nevada Air National Guard (base in Reno).
Key Differences: Active-Duty vs Reserves/National Guard
Active Duty:
• Full-time
• Federal employer
• More frequent deployments
• Live near base
• Military is main job
Reserves:
• Part-time
• Federal employer
• Less frequent deployments
• Live at home
• Civilian job + military
National Guard:
• Part-time
• State & Federal employer
• Deployments for emergencies
• Live at home
• Civilian job + military + state duties
If you are thinking about joining one of our military branches, here are some questions you can ask the different recruiters. You are not limited to these questions, but this is a great place to start!
ASVAB and access study guides:
https://www.officialasvab.com/
Recruiter: SSG. Angel Ballesteros 775.250.6056
email: angel.h.ballesteros.mil@army.mil
Recruiter: EN2 Javier Perez
email: javier.perez102.mil@us.navy.mil 541.613.9086
email:
Recruiter: SSGT Nicholette C Alonge 775.722.1517
email: nicholette.alonge@us.af.mil
Recruiter: SSGT Brian Alger 775.675.4505
email: brian.alger@marines.usmc.mil
Recruiter: SSGT Nicholette C Alonge 775.722.1517
email: nicholette.alonge@us.af.mil
Recruiter: BM1 Thomas Bowles 385.242.6832
email: thomas.p.bowles@uscg.mil
Recruiter: SSG Zach Heskett 775.220.7444
email: zachary.r.heskett.mil@army.mil
Recruiter: TSgt Tori Balaam 775.813.8760
email: victoria.balaam@us.af.mil
general information regarding options, expectations and benefits
Military Scholarships
Scholarships:
U.S. Air Force ROTC Scholarship - Amount Varies
Application Due Date: Varies
Some Requirements: Various
Visit: https://www.afrotc.com/scholarships/
For more information, please contact Nashali Vazquez Zayas at 385.260.2083 or nashali.vazquez_zayas.1@us.af.mil
Army ROTC Scholarship - Amount Varies
Application Due Date: Varies
Some Requirements: Various
Visit: www.goarmy.com/rotc/scholarships.html
For more information, please contact: Mr. Todd Gnoitczynski at tgnoitczynski@unr.edu
Navy ROTC - Full Tuition
Application Due Date: Varies
Some Requirements: Various
Visit: www.nrotc.navy.mil/scholarships.html
Marines ROTC - Full Tuition
Application Due Date: Varies
Some Requirements: Various
Visit: www.marines.com/becoming-a-marine/officer.html