I am prior service wanting to join a Reserve PJ unit. I recently tested into the unit in July, was accepted and did all that admin stuff with the recruiter. Currently I am waiting for my Class III physical to clear before I can swear in. My concern is the recruiter is telling me if it doesn't clear and I don't swear in before October 1st 2011, the start of the fiscal year, I possibly could not get a slot and wont be able to join the Air Force Reserve. I am not sure I am understanding what he is saying. I thought if a unit accepts me, which they did already,and my Class III physical is good to go, then there shouldn't be an issue when I join.

I'm not sure either. The AF Reserve unit either has a vacant PJ position needing to be filled or it doesn't.

However the force structure of the AF Reserve more so than Air Guard is to get already trained and qualified leaving active duty.

What is the unit's needs?

It likely has to do with funding the slot...if the slot was funded past the FY, it wouldn't be a problem, but if it was not budgeted for past the FY, it can be a problem and would likely have to be refunded before it becomes available again. Hopefully it would simply result in a delay and they can keep the FCIII/other requirements going if you don't get picked up.

Yukon, I really couldn't tell you what the units needs other than when i tested in July that they needed slots, don't know how many though. And not sure if the recruiter can tell.

TE, Thanks for the info, hopefully it doesn't result in a delay.

A confusing statement. They needed slots fails to clearly identify all the elements of the problem and the solution.

All units have a funded unit manpower document. A unit cannot have more members than it is authorized, but it can have less.

The Air Force Reserve unit also has a man day operations budget and a man day training budget (simple explanation).

Thus to pick up an untrained person to become a pararescue asset in their unit they must have: (1) a vacant (unfilled) pararescue position on the unit manning document; (2) the man-days funded for the individual to be on active duty status going through BMT and all training required to become a 3-skill level PJ; and (3) have the training slots at Indoc and other courses allocated to their PJ or PJs in training.


The positions on the unit manpower document will remain funded, even if empty, until a reduction in force action reduces the numbers of members the unit is authorized.

The funding needed is the man day training funding (your on active duty salary) and the funding to put you through the pipeline. This is what needs to get refunded every fiscal year.

Keep plugging along as only the AF Reserve Recuiter and the AF Reserve unit you are attempting to become a member have all the current funding info.

Yukon,

I see what your'e saying and that also answered my question. That was a concern, but you cleared it up by saying they can not over strength a position. Basically what I am getting from this, correct me if I am wrong. Since I have completed the unit's test and interview and was accepted into the unit they have a slot or position for me.

If you have no enlistment contract with enlistment oath swearing in you have nothing to hang your hat on as far as my limited awareness of AF Reserves goes.

No enlistment contract with a report to BMT date, no PJ job. The unit can not afford to have an untrained member or not in training to be qualified PJ asset on its unit roster. The training is just too many months and quite expensive.

The unit itself or the AF Reserve recruiter are in only position of confirming your "hired" status and job position being held for you status.

That's what I was afraid of, unfortunately I cannot swear in until my FC III is finished. Thanks for the info though really appreciate it.