I am a mgmt consultant wishing to become a reserve officer. How has this choice affected your career?

I would like to joint the military as a reserve officer while continuing my career in consulting in the Washington DC area. I will most likely join as a Pyschological Operations or Military Intelligence officer. I would specifically like to hear from others in the consulting industry how your firm has supported (or not) this decision, and how this decision has affected project staffing, job search, and general career progression. Are any firms (particularly in DC?) friendly to Reserve employees? Are there officer branches with shorter or less frequent deployments that I should consider? Do any firms actively recruit military experience in their consultants, or have you felt discriminated against in your job search when you mention your reserve status? Thanks for your help.

Joining the military as an officer is a very wise decision if you are able to do so. I do not work in a consulting firm, but I am in law enforcement as well as a Military Police Officer in the Army National Guard which drills both monthly and annually similarly to Reservists.

Being in the military is an occupation in which you will receive both highly positive and negative reinforcement from your colleagues. Many will respect you. Some will not understand what you are doing and with ignorance comes fear. These people may criticize and judge you. Overall, I have regularly seen that upper management highly values military training and recognizes the discipline it instills as well as promotes and hires based on military service and achievements.

In regards to your question about deployment, units deploy based on need. Being assigned to a specific unit will not guarantee any lesser amount of deployments. Also, as an officer, your duties as a leader in the Army to lead where you are needed. You may be ordered or asked to lead more often than if you were enlisted.

Often you may receive both positive and negative feedback regarding your reserve status. However, as a Soldier, you will be very confident in who you are and in the decisions you have made. As a leader, as an officer, and as a citizen-soldier, you will carry a lot of responsibility that will instill much pride in you that no one who has anything negative to say will even phase you whatsoever. You will be highly respected.