By Maj. Ron Lee, DANTES Reserve Components Advisor
Few people can name all seven components of the Selected Reserve; much less describe the multitude of educational benefits that are available to their members. Memorizing each component is really quite simple. Each of the five active-duty services has a Reserve Component. They are described as the Army Reserve (USAR), Navy Reserve (USNR), Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC), Marine Corps Reserve (USMCR) and Coast Guard Reserve (USCGR) -- add the Army National Guard (ARNG) and the Air National Guard (ANG) for a total of seven. While the Inactive Ready Reserve (IRR) is also considered a Reserve Component, it is not a member of the Selected Reserve.
Each Selected Reserve has a website where servicemembers can go to seek out information on their education benefits. Your local Education Services Office should also be able to provide you with this information.
- USAR: http://www.goarmy.com/reserve/benefits/education.html
- USNR: http://www.navy.com/about/about-reserve.html
- AFRC: https://afreserve.com/benefits
- USMCR:http://www.marines.com/being-a-marine/benefits/education
- USCGR: http://www.gocoastguard.com/reserve-careers/enlisted-careers/receive-pay-benefits
- ARNG: http://www.nationalguard.com/education
- ANG: http://www.goang.com/benefits/
Another important source for servicemembers is the Department of Veteran's Affairs website at http://www.va.gov. There, you can find information about education benefits among other services relevant to veterans.
Some states also provide education benefits to veterans who are either currently serving or have served in the past. A valuable website to search for benefits by state is http://www.govbenefits.gov.
