Military Careers, Air Force Commissioning Programs - Air Force Times

Standby Reserve

These are reservists who maintain their military affiliation but are not members of the Ready Reserve. There are two types of Standby Reservists: Active Status and Inactive Status. Normally, these reservists are key federal or state employees, but also can be civilians in the defense industry whose employers designate them as crucial to national security.

Active Status. These reservists can voluntarily participate in training for retirement, but receive no pay. They are eligible for promotion, with the exception of promotion to flag or general officer level.

Inactive Status. Those in this status are not authorized to take part in training for retirement points and cannot be promoted. Those who elect to be transferred to this status because of hardship or health reasons are allowed to maintain their military status because they have skills the reserves may need in the future.

It takes a congressionally declared war or other national emergency to get the Standby Reserve recalled to active duty, and then only when there are not enough members of the Ready Reserve to do the job. The secretary of defense has the final authority on who is activated from this status.