I'm a reservist mobilizing soon, and want to take advantage of any benefits that might make my work and life better/easier as a civilian (and as a drilling reservist when I return).

What tips, tricks, and recommendations do you have?

It's worth noting these things I already plan on doing:
1. Cancel Tricare Reserve Select (and take advantage of the free six months post-mob as well)
2. Apply for the Amex Platinum once I am activated ($700 fee is waived for active duty, they don't follow up)

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Could have done this already but look up scra benefits for each credit account you have many companies like synchrony bank will back date all your stuff to 0% and pay you back any interest you or your spouse if you have one have ever paid.

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This. Notify all your creditors that you are mobilizing. They'll cap your interest rate and remove fees.

Also, if you are going to a combat zone, be sure to have $10k to enroll in the SDP. It's a free, guaranteed high % return.

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Former Infantry Marine here. All of my advice is based on my experience activating and deploying to Afghanistan.

If you have a lot to get in order, take at least three weeks off work before your report date.

My unit got activated when I was halfway through grad school. Luckily, I was able to finish out the semester after I signed my orders. However, I only had about a week to take my car off the road, get a forbearance on my loans, and move out of my apartment. Everything worked out, but it was a hellish ordeal.

The more time you can take between taking your leave from work and your report date, the better. This will also give you more time to spend with friends and family.

Make sure you're getting proper BAH based on your zip code. Our unit tried to give everyone BAH based on our HTC's zip. However, you rate BAH for your home of record.

Be sure that you've brushed up on your MOS. Especially if you're an NCO or an Officer. You will embarrass yourself and your unit if you're not as competent as the active personnel.

Make sure you're in shape. I know not ALL reservists are fat and lazy, but we had a bunch of Marines get dropped from the workup because of fitness issues.

Don't overdo it on the weekends while you're on your workup. It's fine to get buzzed here and there. However, as I'm sure you're aware, this can lead to a myriad of problems. Several of our Marines were NJP'd as a result of drunken decision making. One SNCO essentially ruined his career.

If you're Infantry or in a unit that will be in the field quite a bit, spare no expense on good gear. I recommend getting a brand of merino wool socks called "Darn Tough." For underwear "Smartwool" makes extremely comfortable and durable boxer briefs. You can find a lot of good stuff on GovX and ExpertVoice.

At the end of your active time, you will likely have to undergo a TRS course. The VA representatives at those were a tremendous help. Talk to them as much as possible.

Hope this helps!

Shoot me a DM with any questions.

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Appreciate it brother, but I'm good to go on the military side. Looking for recommendations that are more focused on me as a civilian that I can only take advantage of while in active status. Perks, status upgrades, free things, etc that require active duty status.

Wait Amex waives the 700 fee? I just paid that while I was on AD too.

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Call them and send them your orders. You can probably have it retroactively credited.

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The Roth TSP funded from my mil pay allowed me to get the benefits of a ROTH IRA while not being eligible for a conventional Roth IRA given the income cap. Just watch not over contributing as the automatic controls aren’t setup to consider any 401k contributions from your civilian job (including 401k from mil deferential pay)

If CZTE is combat zone, I won't be in a combat zone, it is a CONUS mobilization. I'll keep that in mind for the future though, thanks.

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