DMACC student by day, reservist sailor by the weekend

Chronicle writer Riley Dickerson is a third-year journalism student at DMACC. Dickerson, 25, from Ankeny, spent four years on active duty in the Navy from 2018-2022. During that time, he was an undesignated fireman, and towards the end of his contract, he was an electrician. 

He is currently serving in the Navy Reserve. Dickerson discussed his busy schedule, which he uses to balance Reserve duties and student life.

Dickerson enjoyed his time in the active Navy; however, joining the Navy Reserve was a new way to serve. “The way it’s run is completely different. It’s much more laid back [and] at your own pace,” Dickerson said.

Dickerson found a new way to serve his country and make more money for himself. Being offered the ability to be a part-time Sailor, along with a hefty bonus, was a great opportunity for him.

“To be honest with you, the big thing was that they offered a $20,000 bonus. The way it works is you get $10,000 upfront, then at the end of the next fiscal year, you get five [thousand dollars], and then the end of the next fiscal year, you get another five,” Dickerson said.

His drill duties consist of one weekend a month, typically Saturday and Sunday, and 12-15 days in the summer for annual training, known as AT. The weekend training is eight hours a day and varies depending on the weekend. 

“Every weekend is different. Sundays, you have your PT day, [which is] about two or three hours of physical activity. Last weekend it was kickball and football. I think people were playing beanbag toss. There’s a lot of activities you can do, and then after that, they dismiss you, and you go home,” Dickerson said.

AT is important for reservists to get a feel for what it is like to be on active duty. 

“I’ve already been on active duty before, and I know how it is. They want people to go there and be engaged in active duty activities and understand what it would be like if you had to mobilize. So, their whole mission is to be mission-ready 24/7,” Dickerson said.

For most reservists, it is similar to a part-time job. “A lot of [us] have other obligations, and the reserves is just a way for them to be a part of something bigger than themselves. It’s a part-time job,” Dickerson said.

There is always a chance of deployment. There is no definitive answer to whether someone joins if they will deploy or not. “How likely depends on the rest of the world,” he said.

It’s not an easy job, but with the right mindset, it is doable. 

“If you feel like something in your life is missing, you want to become something bigger than yourself and you can handle a heavy workload. The Navy Reserves will give you a sense of something larger than yourself,” Dickerson said.