One of the most attractive benefits that Air Force reservists receive while serving as a member of the U.S. military is tuition assistance. In fact, many college students who join the Air Force Reserve do so solely for the purpose of having their college education paid for. As part of its non-contributory G.I. Bill, the U.S. Air Force pays up to 100 percent of a student's tuition costs when they join. The Air Force also operates its own community college that allows students to take accredited courses for free. The school offers various two-year associate of applied science degrees that students can later use as the basis for transfer to a four-year institution.
The Air Force also offers benefits through its Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC). Students in the ROTC program take additional classes in leadership and military operations while in college, while receiving the same tuition assistance that other reservists receive. ROTC students receive this assistance primarily in the form of scholarship money. While in school, students continue to serve as reservists serving once per month and two weeks per year. Doing so makes them eligible to receive reservist pay and have additional money available for college expenses and extra-curricular activities that may not be covered by scholarship funds. Perhaps one of the greatest benefits that students receive is their officer's training and commission upon graduation from college. ROTC graduates are automatically eligible for officer training school and receive greater pay from the military as a result.
Aside from tuition assistance and free college courses, potential military reservists may also wish to consider a number of other fringe benefits that go along with being a member of the Air Force Reserve. Many college students go through their entire college experience without any health insurance benefits. The Air Force Reserve offers low cost health insurance for all of its enlistees. Reservists can also receive low-cost life insurance and begin participating in the military's retirement plan as well.