Upon entering the Army Reserve, everyone selects or is assigned a Military Occupational Specialty (MOS). Soldiers are assigned an MOS based on several factors, including an individual's interest and aptitude, availability and the Army's needs. Once a Soldier has been assigned an MOS, the training begins for the Soldier to become qualified in that skill area.

Army Reserve units often train with Active and National Guard units to ensure all three components of the U.S. Army work as a seamless, fully integrated force.

		See how the Army Reserve trains its Soldiers in an abbreviated but intense manner. Need a video player? Download Quicktime

This is where the process of becoming a U.S. Soldier - both mentally and physically - begins. During Basic Training, Soldiers get in the best physical shape of their lives and learn how to dress, act and talk like a Soldier. Along the way, they discover a higher level of self-confidence and an inner strength that they will use in the Army Reserve and beyond.

Once Soldiers complete Basic Training they move on to Advanced Individual Training (AIT). This is where each Soldier learns the skills needed to perform his or her MOS. AIT consists of classroom time, learning what it takes to do a job, and time in the field, learning exactly how to perform that job.

The learning and training doesn't stop once Soldiers have completed AIT. In order to stay sharp and focused, Army Reserve Soldiers are required to participate in Sustainment Training on a regular basis. There are two types:

	Drills Drills occur approximately one weekend a month. Units get together at their Post or Reserve Center to learn new skills, hone old ones and basically keep everything - and everyone - prepared if national or global events require their involvement.
	Annual Training Annual Training occurs approximately two weeks each year. During this time, several units converge on their assigned Post to perform a more involved training exercise. It is conducted in a real world scenario, providing a realistic, hands-on setting for the Soldiers to put their skills to work and to become adept with various pieces of Army Reserve equipment.
	Innovative Readiness Training Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) is a Department of Defense program to put the skills, capabilities and resources of the military to work addressing serious domestic needs in the United States. IRT allows Army Reserve units to improve their readiness by planning and executing training exercises that also assist their home communities. Examples of past IRT initiatives include constructing rural roads, providing medical and dental care to underprivileged communities, and loading and transporting food to food banks.

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