The Army, as one of the three military departments (Army, Navy and Air Force) reporting to the Department of Defense, is composed of two distinct and equally important components: the ACTIVE component and the RESERVE components.

The Army Reserve Component:
Develop skills, become a leader, and build a network in your field. Choose a path related to your civilian career field or take a different one to learn something new.
Stay close to family. The Army Reserve lets you serve close to home and continue pursuing your goals, whether that’s in education, a civilian career, or both.
Keep your civilian job. Advance in your full-time civilian job and keep pursuing your career goals, as Army Reserve Soldiers can follow passions while serving the country part time.
The Army Reserve offers you the flexibility to pursue your individual goals and your passion to serve your country. You'll get paid to train part time, receive great benefits, and gain experiences you won't find anywhere else.

The Army Active Component:
Active duty is the largest component within the Army. You’ll help perform day-to-day military operations with a specialized skillset in a specific field.
You’ll develop skills for your Army job, or Military Occupation Specialty (MOS), while also spending time with loved ones or pursuing other personal activities.
Daily life is a balance between commitment and personal goals, where you’ll pursue your dreams while making a difference for the United States along the way.
As an active-duty Soldier, you can receive a number of great benefits, including a competitive salary, bonuses, and incentives, as well as excellent healthcare, retirement, and education benefits. Soldiers qualify for a variety of opportunities, like the GI Bill, to get help paying for their education, specialized training, and other certifications.